Developments in Uganda

Although the Government of Uganda has no deliberate or systematic policy to recruit children, the lack of effective monitoring at local level leads to children continuing to join some elements of the armed forces. During the reporting period*, there have been sixteen cases of recruitment and use of children, ages 14 to 17 years, by the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF). In this regard, the UPDF did not make use of the agreed civilian reintegration structures in place.

To date, there are still no signs of the release of 1,128 children reported to have been mobilised into the LDUs in late 2004 in Kitgum, Pader and parts of Teso region. The Government has claimed that the LDUs have been disbanded and some of its members integrated into the UPDF and Uganda Police Force. During this process, the opportunity to utilise the agreed civilian reintegration structure in place was also missed. The CTFMR noted that comprehensive planning for the demobilisation and disarmament of children associated with the LDUs is an essential element for sustainable peace in northern Uganda. In early August 2007, the CTFMR met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs to finalise an action plan to prevent the recruitment and use of child soldiers within the framework of Security Council resolution 1612. A workshop was held in Kampala on 24 August 2007 with key stakeholders from the Government and CTFMR, culminating in a draft action plan to be adopted by the Government shortly.

Since December 2006, 48 cases of rape and other sexual violence against girls perpetrated by UPDF or LDU elements were reported, of which 37 cases were recorded from March to August 2007 in Kitgum, Gulu, Lira and Amuru districts. Two primary schools in Aswa county, Gulu district of Acholiland were occupied by military forces and used for military training purposes. Through OHCHR's intervention, the army vacated the schools on 23 August 2007. In Lira district, the Baralegi primary school in Okwang sub-county is still occupied by military forces. Due to the absence of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) in Ugandan territory during the reporting period*, no cases attributable to them have been recorded by the CTFMR. The LRA has not released any children from the Ri-Kwangba assembly point in South Sudan. However, since the signing of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement in August 2006, approximately 70 children, 15 percent of whom are girls, have returned from South Sudan to reception centres in Gulu, Kitgum, Pader and Lira. The CTFMR continues to advocate for the release of all children and women remaining in LRA captivity.

In June 2006, a monitoring and reporting task force on child’s rights violations within the framework of Security Council resolution 1612 (2005) was inaugurated in Uganda, co-chaired by UNICEF and OHCHR.

Parties in Uganda

1. Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA)

This party has also been responsible for committing rape and other grave sexual violence against children in the reporting period.

2. Government armed forces and defence units
1. Local defence units

This party has also been responsible for committing rape and other grave sexual violence against children in the reporting period.

2. Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF)

This party has also been responsible for committing rape and other grave sexual violence against children in the reporting period.

• Uganda - Lord's Resistance Army

* Information based on the 2007 report of the Secretary General to the Security Council (A/62/609-S/2007/757) issued on 21 December 2007