Marjoke Oosterom (Institute of Development Studies, UK) carries out her PhD research on civic participation in local government structures in Northern Uganda in cooperation with ICCO and Hivos. In July and August she is in Uganda for a preliminary scoping visit. In this blog she tells about her experiences based on interviews carried out in the capital and in Gulu and Kitgum districts. The Acholi sub-region and bordering districts experienced extremely violent activities and abductions by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) for 20 years. A vast majority of the population was displaced and lived in camps. Since two years ago, Northern Uganda is stable and people are gradually returning home. Local governments are slowly resuming their functions. Both the people and the local government officials face tremendous challenges in the recovery process. See also the project's website.