Blog - Page 21 - Justice and Reconciliation Project

26 May 201109 Sep 2011

Community Launch of the Lukodi Massacre Report

Women in Lukodi reading the new report on the Lukodi massacre

Yesterday, JRP launched its latest report, The Lukodi Massacre: 19th May 2004, through a community outreach event in Lukodi Training Center. The event was attended by dozens of community members, JRP staff, women from Child Voice International, and the Rwot of Patiko. Details of a policy-level launch in Gulu Town are forthcoming.

On May 19, 2004, the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) raided the village of Lukodi and carried out a massacre that led to the death of over sixty people. Lukodi, a village that is located 17 kilometers north of Gulu Town, is one of the many villages in northern Uganda that suffered from persistent LRA attacks. After the massacre, the community was displaced to Coope IDP camp for three years and only began returning home after the dissolution of the Juba peace talks in 2008.

This report reconstructs a narrative of the Lukodi massacre and the major events that unfolded on that day. The documentation centers on learning the experiences of the community prior to and during the massacre, the impact the massacre has had on the population, and the transitional justice (TJ) challenges they continue to face today.

To download the full report, click here.

18 May 201109 Sep 2011

Memorial Services in Lukodi and Arua

Victims of the conflict in West Nile with JRP after a workshop in October 2010

This week victims from conflict in northern Uganda will be remembering the past and honoring the dead through annual memorial services.

On Thursday, May 19, the community in Lukodi will host memorial prayers at the sub-county headquarters. On Friday, May 20, Arua will host the 1st Annual Memorial Service for victims of conflict in West Nile, organized by the West Nile Kony Rebel War Victims Association.

For more information on both events, contact Sylvia Opinia at +256 471 433008.

Update 21 May 2011: The memorial prayers in West Nile were cancelled by the office of the District Police Commander (DPC) in Arua for security reasons the night before the event, as it allegedly coincided with on-going countrywide demonstrations over rising costs of food and fuel (‘Walk-to-Work’). Another date for this event has yet to be decided and communicated by the district.

12 May 201109 Sep 2011

Launching the Mukura Massacre Report

A community member in Mukura reacts to JRP’s latest report

This week JRP launched its latest report titled, The Mukura Massacre of 1989, on May 10 & 11 in Kumi town and Mukura trading centre, respectively. The launches were well attended by survivors, victims’ families, religious leaders, local leaders, the RDC and DISO of Kumi district, and the LCVs of both Kumi and Ngora.

On July 11, 1989, the 106th battalion of the National Resistance Army allegedly rounded up 300 men from Mukura, a small village in eastern Uganda, and incarcerated them in train wagon number C521083. By the time they were released, 69 of them had suffocated to death.

Twenty-two years later, our report reconstructs an account of what took place to bring the concerns of victims to the attention of the Government and other stakeholders.

To access the full report, click here.

01 Mar 201109 Sep 2011

Upcoming Launch of ICTJ/JRP Report on Memory and Memorialization

Front cover of JRP’s latest report with ICTJ on memory and memorialization

On March 4th, JRP and the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ), with support from the Austrian Development Cooperation, will launch their new joint report, We Can’t Be Sure Who Killed Us: Memory and Memorialization in Post-Conflict Northern Uganda.

The report examines the role memorials have played in Uganda’s transitional justice (TJ) process. Addressed to community members, conflict survivors, policymakers, and donors, it reviews existing memorials and offers recommendations to those seeking to initiate new memorial activities. It is based on research conducted in the Acholi and Lango sub-regions, yet reveals post-war insights into memory and memorialization relevant to the greater North and any society in transition.

The launch will be held from 3-7pm at Churchill Courts in Gulu. For more information, call +256471433008 or email [email protected].

To view the report, click here.

25 Jan 201129 Jul 2011

Norwegian Ambassador Visits JRP in Gulu

JRP with the Ambassador of Norway and staff

On January, 24th, the Norwegian Ambassador, H.E. Thorbjørn Gaustadsæther, visited JRP in a visit to northern Uganda. There he interacted with staff and learned more about transitional justice issues facing communities in the region.

This visit provided an opportunity for our team to share more about our work and experiences with him. For one hour, we sat under the shade of a compound tree, discussing our work-streams and answering questions about our activities asked by the Ambassador.

JRP is funded by the Norwegian Embassy in Kampala and wishes to thank the Ambassador for Norway’s generous support to our activities.

24 Nov 201014 Sep 2011

Enhancing Grassroots Involvement in TJ Debates

JRP and IJR have embarked on a partnership to collect victims’ views on justice

Today the Justice and Reconciliation Project (JRP), in partnership with the South Africa-based Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR), commenced a series of grassroots consultations in northern Uganda to explore local perspectives on transitional justice.

These consultations are part of a larger JRP/IJR project, titled “Enhancing Grassroots Participation in

Transitional Justice Debates,” which aims to intensify local advocacy and consultation of victims in northern Uganda around issues of transitional justice ahead of the 2011 presidential and parliamentary elections. Over the next three months, JRP/IJR will hold extensive consultations with a broad range of stakeholders, including grassroots communities, JLOS (Justice, Law and Order Sector), CSOs and local government leaders to gain a clearer sense of how justice needs can be met.

To download the full press release, click here.

16 Nov 201014 Sep 2011

Press Conference/Release Notice: Casting Election Ballots to Address Victimhood

Kick-starting the campaign to put TJ on the election agenda

On Tuesday, November 16, JRP held a press conference at our Gulu office to officially launch our new advocacy campaign to put transitional justice on the election agenda.

This campaign, “Casting the Ballot to Address Victimhood: A Call to Put Transitional Justice on the Election Agenda,” will stress six action points and implore a strategic plan to disseminate information and mobilise communities through diverse mechanisms, including direct community engagement, newspapers, handouts, radio, and music. By mobilizing war-affected communities to demand their grievances be addressed and acknowledged, we are providing communities and the country at large a space for reflection, debate, and analysis of the issues.

Thanks to all who joined us from 10-11am as we shared details of the campaign and read a statement on TJ issues facing communities in transition.

To download the press release, click here. To access campaign materials, click here.

30 Jul 201014 Sep 2011

JRP Launch Ceremony and Reception

H.E. Bjørg S. Leite and other chief guests cut the ribbon to officially open the JRP office

To celebrate JRP becoming an independent NGO and to officially launch the new organisation, we hosted a ceremony and reception on July 23 at our offices in Gulu’s Senior Quarters. The event — which was attended by the Ambassador of Norway, H.E. Bjørg S. Leite, Hon. Norbert Mao, members of the community, civil society and government representatives, cultural leaders, and many more- was lively and eventful. Bwola dancers from Ker Kwaro Acholi kicked off the event by performing Acholi traditional dances. Brief remarks were made by:

Mr. Lino Ogora, Master of Ceremonies
Mr. Boniface Ojok, Programme Coordinator
Mr. Michael Otim, Board Chairman
H.E. Bjørg S. Leite, Ambassador of Norway, Guest of Honor
Mr. Geoffrey Okello, Gulu District NGO Forum
Dr. Erin Baines, Liu Institute for Global Issues
Delis Palacios, Adom in Quibdo, Chuco, Colombia
Leyner Palacios, Cocomacia in Quibdo, Chuco, Colombia
Hon. Justice Remmy Kasule, Resident Judge, High Court of Gulu
Hon. Santa Oketta, Gulu District Secretary for Community Development, Labor, Gender and Children
Hon. Norbert Mao, Gulu District LC V Chairman, Guest of Honor

Remarks from select speakers can be accessed here.

Further enriching the evening, a poem to remember our sisters who died in captivity and a statement on women’s justice was read by women from our partner project with the Liu Institute for Global Issues, Ododo wa. After reading the statement, the women’s group Rwot Lakica performed a drama on women’s justice.

The evening concluded with dinner and a reception and performances by northern artistes Jeff Korondo and Jahria Okwera from the initiative Music for Peace.

The event allowed us to celebrate our past accomplishments, whilst marking the start of this new era for the Project. We would like to thank everyone who attended for sharing the special day with us.

01 Jan 200808 Aug 2011

Timeline of Past Events (2006-2007)

The following is a timeline of past events from 2006-2007 that JRP organized and/or participated in:

2006

Centre for Research in Women’s Studies and Gender Relations
February 1, 2006
JRP presents at Centre for Research in Women’s Studies and Gender Relations, University of British Columbia.

‘IDEALaw’ Conference
February 10-11, 2006
JRP presents to the IDEALaw Conference, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia.

Northern Uganda Symposium Series
March 2, 2006
JRP is invited to participate in Northern Uganda Symposium Series, sponsored by the Human Rights Centre, University of California, Berkeley.

Workshop on Transitional Justice
March 17-18, 2006
JRP organized a workshop on transitional justice in Gulu, Uganda.

Liu Institute for Global Issues Seminar
June 5, 2006
JRP presents findings of its research in a seminar at the Liu Institute for Global Issues.

Uganda Lobby Day and Symposium
October 9, 2006
JRP speaks on justice issues at the Uganda Lobby Day and Symposium in Washington, DC.

‘The Various Faces of Justice’ Symposium
November 11, 2006
Michael Otim presents on traditional justice at the ‘The Various Faces of Justice’ symposium at the University of Tokyo, Japan.

‘The Search for International Justice’ Screening
November 15, 2006
The film, ‘The Search for International Justice,’ by Judy Jackson aired at the Liu Institute, followed by a panel discussion with Dr. Gerald Caplan, James Otto, and Honorable Betty Aol Ocan in Vancouver Canada.

‘Advocacy, Peace and Justice in Northern Uganda’ Workshop
November 16-17, 2006
JRP organized a workshop on advocacy, peace and justice in northern Uganda at the Liu Institute for Global Issues.

Consultative Workshop with Acholi Chiefs and Elders
November 18, 2006
JRP holds a consultative workshop with Acholi chiefs and elders on justice in Gulu, northern Uganda.

Beyond Juba: Building Consensus on a Sustainable Peace Process for Uganda
December 1-2, 2006
JRP participates in the ‘Beyond Juba: Building Consensus on a Sustainable Peace Process for Uganda’ event organized by Refugee Law Project in Kampala.

Transitional Justice and Displacement in the Great Lakes Region
December 3-5, 2006
JRP participates in the ‘Transitional Justice and Displacement in the Great Lakes Region’ event organized by Refugee Law Project and ATJRN in Kampala.

Amnesty Commission Training
December 6, 2006
JRP presents in the ‘Amnesty Commission Training on Information, Counseling and Referral’ on traditional justice in Gulu. Click here for the concept paper.

2007

‘Human Rights and Social Justice’ Conference
February 25-26, 2007
JRP’s Erin Baines presents at the ‘Human Rights and Social Justice’ conference, University of Winnipeg, on gender and justice.

‘Failed, Failing and Fragile States’ Workshop
March 7-9, 2007
Erin Baines presents at the ‘Failed, Failing and Fragile States’ workshop, UBC on peace vs. justice.

Canadian Federation of University Women
March 19, 2007
Erin Baines presents to the Canadian Federation of University Women, Northern Vancouver, BC on gender and justice.

Youth Peace Actors Assembly
April 11-13, 2007
Lino Owor Ogora presents on traditional justice at the Youth Peace Actors Assembly, sponsored by the Foundation for Youth Transformation in Gulu, Uganda.

‘Transitional Justice and Peace Negotiations’ Meeting
April 16-18, 2007
Michael Otim presents at ‘Transitional Justice and Peace Negotiations,’ hosted by the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs and the International Centre for Transitional Justice in Oslo, Norway. Click here to read the presentation.

‘Radio Wars: Breaking the Waves of Hate, Turning the Tide towards Peace’ Conference
May 13-15, 2007
Boniface Ojok presents paper entitled, ‘Amnesty Radio in Northern Uganda: Rhetoric and Reality’ at Radio Wars: Breaking the Waves of Hate, Turning the Tide towards Peace’ conference, held in Montréal.

Liu Institute for Global Issues Fundraiser
May 30, 2007
The Liu Institute for Global Issues holds a fundraiser to support war-affected young mothers in northern Uganda.

Towards a Common Understanding of Traditional, National, and International Justice Options: A Seminar for Agenda Item 3 (Accountability and Reconciliation) at Juba Peace Talks
June 2, 2007
JRP co-organized with ICTJ, and convened by Ker Kwaro Acholi, a seminar on Agenda Item 3 at the Juba Peace Talks in Juba, Sudan.

Truth-Telling and Verification Workshop With Local Stakeholders on ‘The Cooling of Hearts’
June 15, 2007
JRP held a verification workshop for our report ‘The Cooling of Hearts’ with stakeholders in Gulu before finalizing the document.

‘Building a Future on Truth and Justice’ Conference
June 25-27, 2007
Michael Otim presents at Building a Future on Truth and Justice, a conference held in Nuremberg, Germany.

Lira Declaration on Agenda Item 3 of the Juba Peace Talks (Accountability and Reconciliation) by Cultural and Religious Leaders, Women and Youth from Madi, Teso, Lando and Acholi Sub-Regions
August 11, 2007
The Lira Declaration is the result of a consultation attended and signed by the leadership of traditional and religious institutions, including women and youth representatives in these institutions.

Northern Uganda CSO Declaration on Agenda Item Three of the Juba Peace Talks
August 20-30, 2007
Over 100 civil society organizations were involved in consultative meetings in the regions of Acholi, Lango, Teso, and West Nile to reach a common position on the ongoing consultations on Accountability and Reconciliation at the Juba Peace Talks.

01 Jan 200808 Aug 2011

Workshop on Transitional Justice

The indictment of the top five rebel leaders has raised both fears and expectations, for how it might impact the Amnesty process, any future peace talks and possibly led to the capture and arrest of those deemed most responsible. In this context, questions and debate about the best way to pursue justice are extremely pressing in Uganda.

In order to begin to explore these questions in the context of northern Uganda, the Gulu District NGO Forum, International Center for Transitional Justice and Liu Institute for Global Issues convened a workshop among main stakeholders on March 17-18 at the GUSCO Peace Centre, Gulu. Participants included the Amnesty Commission (including its head, Justice Onega), the Ugandan Human Rights Commission (Commissioner Alero Omara), traditional leaders (including an opening by Rwot David Onen Acana II, Paramount Chief of the Acholi), religious leaders, NGO and civil society activists from across the country, women’s groups and youth leaders, academics from Gulu and Makarere, UN representatives (OHCHR and UNICEF), MPs, and others, including representatives from IDP camps in Kitgum, Pader and Gulu Districts. Between 60 and 70 participants in total attended and momentum throughout the discussions was very high, with most sessions going over time.