Government Resettlement of the Internally Displaced Persons of Okwang Sub County, Otuke District, Uganda.

ABSTRACT

This research focused on the resettlement process of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) and analyses the challenges which hindered the sustainable resettlement of IDP5. The displacement in northern Uganda was caused by the conflict between the LRA and the government of Uganda. This conflict persisted and lasted for about 20 years and the magnitude of the displacement caused the people to be considered one of the heights in the world. Most of the IDPs have been living in camps throughout the period of their displacement and this has weakened them considerably in all aspects of life. As such, there is need to come up with strategies that can ensure the process of resettlement of IDPs is properly managed because it constitutes critical aspects of peace-building in northern Uganda. The research revealed that, the majority of the IDPs have indicated the need for security and Peace; the presence and availability of public services especially schools, health centers and proper roads in their original areas, facilitation with return kits, access to land and physical help such as building shelters for extremely vulnerable individuals and widows among the most important things they needed for sustainable resettlement of the IDPs in northern Uganda. Also the study reviewed the literature related to topic under investigation. It covered most of the literature written about the role government and other actors played in resettling the Internally Displaced Persons in northern Uganda, Okwang Sub County, and Otuke district during the closure of the protection camps up to the relocation of the camp population to their areas of resettlement. The research focused on IDPs in Otuke district in Okwang Sub County and it was carried in three villages of Pat Oyali, Barlegi and Barocok in Okwang Sub County of Otuke district. Otuke district was chosen because almost the entire population was displaced by violent armed conflicts. There was need to analyze the challenges facing their resettlement in order to propose strategies for ending their displacement by way of having an effective and efficient resettlement process. As a result of this research, the study made some recommendations for promoting sustainable resettlement of IDPs in northern Uganda: enhance peace and security especially in the Acholi sub region so that IDPs can gain confidence to move from the camps to their original home places; promoting integral economic development aimed at establishing sustainable livelihoods among former IDPs; creating conditions of safety and dignity which involves effective delivery of social services at resettlement areas. The implementation of the above recommendations is the duty of all stakeholders but most especially the government of Uganda, local governments, the international community, IDPs and local communities. A concerted effort is required from all these actors by way of facilitating the process of resettlement of IDP5 to their homes in order to end the many years of displacement in northern Uganda.

 TABLE OFCONTENT

Chapter Page

Preliminary pages

Declaration A ii

Declaration B iii

Dedication iv

Acknowledgements v

List of Acronym vi

Abstract viii

List of Tables

ONE THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE 1

Background of the Study 1

Problem Statement 5

Scope of the Study 6

Research Objectives 6

Research Questions 6

Justification of the study 7

Operational Definitions 8

TWO REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 10

Concepts, opinions, Ideas from author/expert 10

Related Studies 13

THREE METHODOLOGY 19

Research Design 19

Study area 19

Research Population 19

Sample Size 20

Data collection 20

Sampling Procedure 20

Validity and Reliability of the Instrument 21

Data Gathering Procedures 22

Data Analysis 22

Ethical Considerations 24

Limitation of the Study 24

FOUR DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION 25

Profile of the Respondents 25

FIVE FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 38

Conclusions and Recommendations 38

Conclusions 38

Recommendations 40

References 43

Appendices 45

Appendix I: Transmittal letter 45

Appendix II: Informed Consent 46

Appendix III: Research Instrument 47

Appendix IV: Content Validity Index 52

Appendix V: Researcher’s Curriculum Vitae 53