Uganda
After over 20 years of conflict between the Ugandan government and the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), significant changes occurred in war-torn northern Uganda. The LRA withdrew from Uganda in late 2005, signing a Cessation of Hostilities Agreement in 2006. Displacement camps, once home to 90% of the population, were dismantled. Although peace is fragile, with the LRA now operating from the DRC, they haven't returned to Uganda.
Understanding the Needs of Northern Ugandans in Transition
In this context, recovery from decades of conflict is challenging. Much remains to be done to promote sustainable peace, social reconstruction, and development in northern Uganda. This report presents the results of a survey designed to improve understanding of the needs, views and priorities of northern Ugandans during this time of transition to peace and security. It provides results that are representative of the adult population in four districts: Gulu, Amuru, Kitgum and Pader.
The survey was conducted in April and May of 2010. The authors conducted similar surveys in northern Uganda in 2005 and 2007.[2] For comparison purposes, the methodology and objectives of the study are similar to the previous two studies in northern Uganda as well as to other Initiative for Vulnerable Populations studies conducted in Cambodia, the DRC, and the Central African Republic (CAR). However, the questionnaire and methodology of this survey also reflect the specific situation and concerns prevailing in northern Uganda in spring 2010. The research findings are aimed at supporting nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), government and international agencies, and local and international courts in promoting reconstruction and development for the Acholi people. The United States Agency for International Development’s Northern Uganda Transition Initiative (USAID’s NUTI) provided support for the survey, as did the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and Humanity United.
Methodology
Research Design and Sample
The Acholi districts in northern Uganda have been most affected by violence, though civilians in neighboring districts were also impacted. The 2005 and 2007 surveys included data from Oyam, Lira, Amuria, and Soroti. However, the 2010 survey was limited to Acholi districts due to scope and resource constraints. This report focuses on Acholi districts and comparisons with earlier surveys. The survey examined areas with and without USAID’s Northern Uganda Transition Initiative (NUTI) support, creating two strata in each district. NUTI operates in selected sub-counties in Amuru, Gulu, Kitgum, and Pader districts.
In total, 148 sites were selected, with 2,498 individuals interviewed (99% participation rate). The study protocol was approved by the University of California, Berkeley, and the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology. Approval to conduct interviews was also obtained from local authorities at each survey site. Oral informed consent was obtained for each selected participant; neither monetary nor material incentives were offered for participation.
Research Instruments
Interviews used a standardized semi-structured questionnaire covering demographics, priorities and services, access to information, resettlement, social cohesion, health, security, conflict resolution, domestic violence, peace, justice and accountability, the International Criminal Court, non-judicial measures for victims, exposure to violence, and psychological impact. Developed by experts and local consultation, it provided response options based on pilot interviews. The questionnaire and consent documents were translated into Acholi and validated.
The questionnaire was programmed into a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) using KoBo for direct data entry, reducing errors and allowing daily synchronization for data consistency checks.
Data Collection and Analysis
Data collection took place over six weeks in April and May 2010. Four teams of four men and four women (32 interviewers) conducted the study under the guidance of lead researchers and four field supervisors. Interviewers were university students or professionals with research experience. They participated in a seven-day training workshop covering study objectives, survey techniques, PDA use, troubleshooting, mock interviews, and pilot-testing.
Each interviewer conducted four interviews per day, each lasting about one hour and ten minutes. Interviews were conducted anonymously in a confidential setting, with same-sex interviewer-respondent assignments. Oral consent was obtained due to high illiteracy rates. Data were analyzed using Stata version 11, accounting for the complex sampling methodology and weight factors.
Limitations
Several limitations are inherent to this study. The sample was representative of the districts under study, not all of northern Uganda, as only the Acholi districts were surveyed. Researchers had no control over NUTI’s selection of intervention sites, preventing a randomized control study. The existence and effect of confounding factors are uncertain. Some villages, households, and individuals were replaced, and differences are unknown. Responses might be influenced by inaccurate recall, social desirability, and safety concerns.
Comparisons with 2005 and 2007 results are possible at the district level for the Acholi population, but population movements may affect comparisons. Training, consent forms, anonymous interviews, confidentiality, supervision, and quality control were implemented to reduce biases and errors. Constructs and terminology were not defined to participants to avoid influencing them; respondents were asked to define key concepts.
