Blog
Marjoke Oosterom (Institute of Development Studies, UK) carries out her PhD research on the effects of conflict and displacement on citizen participation and local governance in Northern Uganda. In 2010, she is doing her field research in several villages in Kitgum and Apac districts. In this blog she tells about her experiences in the field and reflects on issues in the country.
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 IDP camps. Since 2 years ago, Northern Uganda is stable and people have almost all returned home. Local governments are resuming their functions. Both the people and the local government officials face tremendous challenges in the recovery process. This study will focus on the consequences for both citizens and local institutions, tracing how memories of the conflict are carried into the present. The research is supported by Hivos and ICCO.
Last week I went to see His Excellency, President Museveni himself. He came campaigning in Apac and Kole districts, including one sub-county. I was quite a ride from where I do fieldwork, but a chance not to be missed. Off we went, my team and I. His rally was hosted by one of the bigger schools in the area. We wanted to be early to chat with some of the people there. By the time we arrived at the site a big crowd had already gathered on the play ground. The entourage is entertaining in itself. Security checks at the entrance, where I need to hand in my camera. Too bad, my hopes to have a picture with Me and Mr President... vanished. Under the trees women sell fried snacks and maize, men walk around selling shirts and hats. I see many yellow NRM t-shirts with ‘Fourth Term!’ and ‘No Change!’ Groups of pupils from various regions of the country performs their dances. It is 12 noon and burning hot. Two boxes with bottles of mineral water are handed out for free (where did those come fr...
In a world that has become increasingly interconnected changes in Dutch aid will have consequence – even if they’re small – in a country like Uganda where many Dutch funded development activities take place. So, this blog would be incomplete if I wouldn't give it some thoughts. Last week the Dutch department for Development Cooperation announced which NGO alliances in the Netherlands were granted funds for the next 5 years. The number of grants would decrease drastically and even the winners of those few grants were ‘losers’ to some extent, since every organisation knew it would face budget cuts – as much as over 25%.Another development is that the newly formed rightwing government removed the Minister for Development Cooperation and replaced the post with a Secretary of State, which at the same time has to manage the portfolio for European Cooperation. The new aid policy will soon be in the making, but our Prime Minister Mr. Rutte already declared ‘there is no money going to corrup...
Today I felt like writing a couple of happy anecdotes of how things work here. This is not directly related to the topics of my research, but they definitely affect the ways I can carry out the study! It is all about connections here in Uganda. You need your cousins, brothers and sisters, uncles and clan mates to get you what you need. From money to pay school fees to jobs. Coming to Uganda as an outsider I lack the extended family here, but I get handy in getting connected into other people’s network – mostly to get information. And the mobile phone has definitely made things easier in that respect!A week ago I had to travel from Kampala to Lira, so I called someone working for an NGO in Lira to ask which bus company has a good reputation on safe driving (e.g. slower speed and not too many accidents on its track record). Since I saw one of the coaches on its head I got a bit more careful. She gives me a phone number of a woman in Kampala ‘who knows’. Mrs. Judith. So I call Judith,...
It is 7AM. The bells of the church next door call the people to come for morning prayers. I drink my tea on the veranda, watching the mist slowly disappear from the mountains at the Sudanese border. It’s only a few miles from here. A scenic view now, but only a few years ago this is where the LRA rebels would come from. Based behind the mountains, crossing to Uganda to loot and abduct people on the way back. The house where I am staying was surrounded by thousands of huts that comprised the IDP camp. People started to move back home only in 2008 and the camp huts were demolished, while some remained here.I go back to my notes; in half an hour the former camp commandant of the IDP camp of this sub-county will come for a visit. He agreed to do series of biographic interviews about his position in the community since his childhood and later on as a camp leader from 1998-2008. We meet 3 or 4 times a week, usually after he has attended morning prayers. When the IDP camps started in Kitgu...
On Monday the 30th of August, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) held its primary elections. The NRM is the ruling party, led by President Museveni. All over the country, NRM members elected their candidates for local government (sub-county and district levels) and the members of parliament (MP), who will stand for office in the national elections in 2011.I followed the elections closely in Lamwo district, where I carry out my field research. Whereas most of the northern region Acholi is supporting the opposition parties, Lamwo seems to be an exception. The majority of the people seems to support the NRM. But do they really?Apparently NRM’s popularity stems from the MP that comes from this district; Mr. Hilary Onek, also in the NRM party. He stood unopposed, so will be the NRM candidate for MP in next year’s elections. After spending a few days in the villages other reasons for ‘supporting’ the party came to the surface.On the 28th I hang around the meeting ground where candidat...