JEFCAS for Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Bradford, UK

AFRICA STUDY TRIP

UGANDA 2010

The views presented in this monograph are those of the individual author and do not necessarily represent the views of Africa Centre, University of Bradford or its staff.

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Department of Peace Studies,

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AFRICAN STUDY VISIT 2010 – UGANDA COUNTRY VISIT

The African Study Visit 2009/2010 is a module that offers a broad introduction to the field of Conflict and Peace Studies by focusing on critical analyses of the nature, levels, forms and effects of and responses to conflicts in Sub-Saharan Africa. The overall objectives of the module are to: develop an advanced analytical understanding of African politics and its implications to peace, conflict and development; make critical assessment of the theoretical debates and practical aspects of post-conflict peacebuilding/reconstruction in diverse socio-cultural and political contexts; analyse various peacebuilding strategies and best practices at various societal levels, and in the context of global development; and, analyse policy issues in post conflict reconstruction.

Study visits to Africa are organised by the Department of Peace Studies. To-date, three successful visits have been organised to Sub-Saharan Africa countries – Sierra Leone in 2008, Kenya in 2009 and Uganda in March 2010. The visit to Uganda, where seven students and two staff members participated in, was organised on the theme “post conflict peacebuilding”.

But why was the visit made to (northern) Uganda? Uganda has had a dynamic political history manifested in its nation-state formation with long periods of political instability since attaining political independence in 1962. Besides, northern Uganda has been at the epicentre of conflicts in the Great Lakes region of Africa for over two decades. Northern Uganda is now emerging from one of Africa's most brutal conflicts of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).The LRA conflict resulted into massive displacement of nearly two million people into makeshift internally displaced people’s (IDP) camps. To-date, the majority of internally-displaced persons in northern Uganda have returned to or near their homes due to the improved security situation.

A study visit to Uganda provided practical lessons that provided students interested in Africa Studies with opportunities to explore practical ‘bridges’ between theory and practice in the understanding of conflict, peace and development on the African continent. The activities that characterised this visit included focused guest lectures, seminars and workshops, institutional and individual networking, field visits and leisure. The distinguished lectures, seminars and workshops were organised for ten intensive days and were facilitated by academics from Makerere and Gulu universities, international and national Non-Governmental Organizations that are involved in peacebuilding in northern Uganda, religious and cultural leaders.

Furthermore, the participants had the opportunities to visit different historical sites in central/eastern Uganda (Buganda Kingdom headquarters, Kasubi tomb - the royal burial site for Buganda kings, the kingdom parliament in Bulange, the source of the Nile – Africa’s longest river). While in northern Uganda, the team visited Fort Baker (a historical slave trade site built on top of rocks but surrounded by deep trenches known) and Internally Displaced People’s camp (IDP) camp in Patiko. To mark the end of the study visit, a cultural group performed a variety of Acholi traditional dances to entertain both the University of Bradford and Gulu University.

The Uganda study visit has been exceptional because it provided an opportunity for new collaboration between the University of Bradford and Gulu University – the only public university in northern Uganda. More so, the visit paved ways for students of the University of Bradford for internship at the Institute of Peace and Strategic Studies, Gulu University over the summer period – an opportunity that may be explored beyond the visit.

As for the academic year 2010/11, plans are underway for students to be taken to Rwanda. The visit to Rwanda will enhance JEFCAS’ strategy to collaborate with the National University of Rwanda in Butare.

Students’ Comments

“The study trip to Northern Uganda was important for me because it was my first exposure to a post-conflict setting in Africa. I learned a great deal from the diverse academics, practitioners and people we engaged with about the roots of the conflict, the intense challenges of post-conflict reconstruction, as well as Acholi reconciliation processes and their adaptation to address the reintegration of former abductees/combatants. On a personal level I was able to re-evaluate where I see myself acting within the conflict-development field. I’ve learned more from this course than any other at Bradford and recommend it to anyone who wants to ground theoretical knowledge in reality!” Rachel Yordy

“The African Study Trip provided new experiences and new perspectives. The trip to Northern Uganda was exposure to the complexities of post-conflict reconstruction and the dynamics of fieldwork. It was exciting to do hands on research and meet many people working in the peace and conflict field. I had a wonderful time and wish I could go on another trip”. Chelsea Hornick-Becker

“Our study visit to Uganda was not only enriching, it was also revealing and educating. It afforded us the opportunity to have first-hand information about the devastation of the conflict in northern Uganda. We also experienced the rich cultural heritage of the Ugandans and the complex political dynamics of the Ugandan state. Am glad I was part of the Uganda experience. Kudos to the organizers”. Blaise Agwom

"Before going to Uganda I (knowingly) had a very vague idea about Africa and Africans, nurtured especially by the media purported images of poverty, disease and helplessness. The study trip has definitely helped me perceive concretely human suffering in its various facets but also discover and recognise the human potential, ability and knowledge of the local people. The visit to Uganda has been also very interesting from a spiritual, cultural and organizational-practical point of view, with many new insights and wisdom gained from the Acholi people". Andrea Bianchi