This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 04 ROME 006146 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME 
AMEMBASSY KAMPALA FOR AMBASSADOR KOLKER AND USAID DIRECTOR 
MOORE 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 02        ROME  06146  02 OF 04  271818Z 
USAID FOR ADMINISTRATOR NATSIOS, AA/DCHA WINTER, DCHA/D/FFP 
LLANDIS, USAID/GLOBAL/HEALTH, DCHA/OFDA BMCCONNELL 
STATE FOR IO A/S HOLMES, A/S PRM DEWEY, A/S AFR KANSTEINER, 
AF/E 
USDA/FAS FOR U/S PENN, MCHAMBLISS, RTILSWORTH AND LREICH 
NSC FOR JWDORKEN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR EU WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN
SUBJECT: DEEPENING HUMANITARIAN CRISIS - "THE ANGUISH OF 
NORTHERN UGANDA" 
HARVESTED IN JANUARY, HAVE BEEN LOST, INCREASING THE 
DEPENDENCY ON ASSISTANCE FROM OUTSIDE. 
 
 
¶7. DESPITE THE ON GOING DELIVERY OF HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE 
INCLUDING FOOD CONVOYS PROTECTED BY THE UGANDAN ARMY 
ORGANIZED BY WFP, THE OVERALL PICTURE IN THE PROTECTED 
VILLAGES IS ONE OF SEVERE DESTITUTION, WITH POPULATIONS 
REDUCED TO DEPENDENCY, IDLENESS AND DEBILITATING 
UNCERTAINTY. THE POPULATIONS OF THE IDP CAMPS ARE TIGHTLY 
PACKED TOGETHER, OFTEN WITH ONLY AN ARM'S LENGTH BETWEEN 
HOUSES. (A WALK THROUGH ALERO CAMP REVEALED THAT PERSONAL 
ASSETS ARE INDEED MEAGER.) 
 
¶8. PRESENTLY, THE ABILITY OF DISTRICT AUTHORITIES AND NON- 
GOVERNMENTAL (NGO) ORGANIZATIONS TO DELIVER SERVICES AND 
ASSISTANCE TO THESE VILLAGES/CAMPS IS SEVERELY LIMITED. MANY 
CAMP SCHOOLS ARE EFFECTIVELY CLOSED BECAUSE PARENTS ARE 
AFRAID THAT THE REBELS WILL RAID THE SCHOOLS AND KIDNAP 
THEIR CHILDREN. NOTE: REPORTEDLY, OVER THE YEARS, THE LRA 
HAS ABDUCTED MORE THAN 14,000 CHILDREN. END NOTE. 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 03        ROME  06146  02 OF 04  271818Z 
 
¶9. ON PAST OCCASIONS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY HAS 
COMMENTED CRITICALLY ON THE LESS THAN ADEQUATE CONDITIONS OF 
THE DISPLACED CAMPS IN THE ACHOLI REGION. IN THE USAID- 
COMMISSIONED GERSONY REPORT ("THE ANGUISH OF NORTHERN 
UGANDA" - AUGUST 1997), THE AUTHOR CONCLUDED: "IN SUM, THE 
GULU-PROTECTED VILLAGES HAVE CAUSED SIGNIFICANT ECONOMIC 
LOSSES, [ARE] INADEQUATELY ORGANIZED AND HAVE INCREASED 
DISAFFECTION FROM THE GOVERNMENT AT A TIME WHEN PUBLIC 
SUPPORT FOR THE INSURGENTS WAS AT ITS LOWEST EBB.THE 
PROTECTED VILLAGE POLICY MERITS SERIOUS RE-EVALUATION AND 
SHOULD BE PHASED OUT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE." 
 
------------------------ 
THE LRA - WHAT ARE THEY? 
------------------------ 
 
¶10. THE LRA HAS, AT THE VERY LEAST, MANY OF THE ATTRIBUTES 
OF A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION: IT LACKS ANY CLEARLY FORMULATED 
POLITICAL OBJECTIVE, IT TENDS TO AVOID DIRECT CONTACT WITH 
OPPOSING ARMED FORCES, AND ITS HOLD ON THE PEOPLE OF THE 
REGION DERIVES DIRECTLY FROM THE TERROR IT INSPIRES. BY 
TARGETING CIVILIANS ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY, THE LRA WOULD APPEAR 
TO FIT THE CLASSIC TERRORIST DEFINITION. 
 
--------------------------------------------- --------- 
ESCALATING NUMBERS OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED IN NORTHERN 
UGANDA 
--------------------------------------------- --------- 
 
¶11. ACCORDING TO WFP/UGANDA, THE FOLLOWING POPULATIONS ARE 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 04        ROME  06146  02 OF 04  271818Z 
LIVING IN IDP CAMPS IN THE 3 DISTRICTS: GULU, 385,000 (33 
CAMPS); KITGUM, 116,000 (7 CAMPS); PADER, UP TO 271,000 (20 
CAMPS). TOTAL 772,000. NOTE: THE NUMBERS FOR PADER HAVE NOT 
BEEN VERIFIED; WFP RECEIVED A LETTER FROM UGANDA'S OFFICE OF 
THE PRIME MINISTER DATED NOVEMBER 11 REQUESTING URGENT 
ASSISTANCE FOR 19 NEW CAMPS IN PADER DISTRICT TO ASSIST 
204,780 NEWLY DISPLACED. MOREOVER, SEVERAL SOURCES TOLD THE 
TEAM IN GULU THAT "EVERY TRADING CENTER IN PADER HAS BECOME 
AN IDP CAMP." END NOTE.  47,000 IDPS ARE PRESENTLY REPORTED 
TO HAVE SOUGHT REFUGE IN LIRA MUNICIPALITY AND APACH 
DISTRICT. IF THE SITUATION WORSENS IN PADER, THERE IS 
POTENTIAL FOR FURTHER MOVEMENT INTO THESE ADJACENT 
DISTRICTS. 
 
¶12. WFP'S CURRENT NUMBERS ARE HIGHER THAN THE NOVEMBER 
ESTIMATES OF 735,000 MADE BY DISTRICT AUTHORITIES, THE GOU 
AND HUMANITARIAN AGENCIES, AND CONSIDERABLY HIGHER THAN THE 
2003 WFP IDP PLANNING FIGURE OF 494,457 (CONTAINED IN THE 
WFP PROTRACTED RELIEF AND RECOVERY OPERATION APPROVED IN 
FEBRUARY 2002). MOREOVER, WFP FOOD NEEDS ASSESSMENTS FOR 
THESE DISTRICTS ARE AT THE MOMENT ON HOLD DUE TO INSECURITY. 
 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
                           UNCLASSIFIED     PTQ1507 
 
PAGE 01        ROME  06146  03 OF 04  271819Z 
ACTION AID-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   AF-00    CIAE-00  DODE-00  WHA-00   SRPP-00  EB-00 
      EUR-00   UTED-00  VC-00    H-01     TEDE-00  INR-00   IO-00 
      L-00     VCE-00   AC-01    NSAE-00  NSCE-00  OES-00   OIC-02 
      OMB-01   PA-00    PM-00    PRS-00   ACE-00   P-00     SP-00 
      SS-00    STR-00   TEST-00  TRSE-00  T-00     USIE-00  PMB-00 
      PRM-00   DRL-02   G-00     SAS-00     /007W 
                  ------------------1D6A7D  271819Z /02 
P 271540Z DEC 02 
FM AMEMBASSY ROME 
TO AMEMBASSY KAMPALA PRIORITY 
SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7502 
USDA FAS WASHDC PRIORITY 2467 
INFO AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 
AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM 
AMEMBASSY KIGALI 
AMEMBASSY KINSHASA 
AMEMBASSY OTTAWA 
EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE 
USEU BRUSSELS 3033 
USMISSION GENEVA 
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 
 
UNCLAS SECTION 03 OF 04 ROME 006146 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME 
AMEMBASSY KAMPALA FOR AMBASSADOR KOLKER AND USAID DIRECTOR 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 02        ROME  06146  03 OF 04  271819Z 
MOORE 
USAID FOR ADMINISTRATOR NATSIOS, AA/DCHA WINTER, DCHA/D/FFP 
LLANDIS, USAID/GLOBAL/HEALTH, DCHA/OFDA BMCCONNELL 
STATE FOR IO A/S HOLMES, A/S PRM DEWEY, A/S AFR KANSTEINER, 
AF/E 
USDA/FAS FOR U/S PENN, MCHAMBLISS, RTILSWORTH AND LREICH 
NSC FOR JWDORKEN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR EU WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN
SUBJECT: DEEPENING HUMANITARIAN CRISIS - "THE ANGUISH OF 
NORTHERN UGANDA" 
 
----------------------------- 
REFUGEE POPULATIONS IN UGANDA 
----------------------------- 
 
¶13. ALTHOUGH NOT A MAJOR FOCUS OF THIS VISIT, WFP HAS A 
CASELOAD OF BOTH SUDANESE (165,930 PERSONS LIVING IN 62 
SETTLEMENTS IN FIVE DISTRICTS) AND RWANDESE/CONGOLESE 
(27,055 PERSONS LIVING IN FOUR SETTLEMENTS IN THREE 
DISTRICTS). THE ONLY DURABLE SOLUTION TO THE REFUGEE PROBLEM 
IN UGANDA IS CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES IN COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN 
(SOUTHERN SUDAN, RWANDA AND DRC), REPATRIATION AND 
RESETTLEMENT. THE INTERMEDIATE SOLUTION FOR REFUGEE SELF- 
RELIANCE IN UGANDA RELATES TO THE QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF 
LAND ALLOCATED TO REFUGEES, INCOME ACQUISITION STRATEGIES 
AND OTHER COPING MECHANISMS. 
 
------------------------------- 
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 03        ROME  06146  03 OF 04  271819Z 
------------------------------- 
 
¶14. THERE IS A DEEPENING HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN NORTHERN 
UGANDA AND INCREASED NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION IS 
NEEDED TO PREVENT STARVATION, ALLEVIATE SUFFERING AND 
PROTECT THE WELFARE OF DISPLACED PERSONS, PARTICULARLY 
CHILDREN. 
 
¶15. GOU NEEDS TO FURTHER ENHANCE ITS EFFORTS TO ENSURE THE 
SAFE AND CONTINUOUS DELIVERY OF RELIEF SUPPLIES AND SERVICES 
TO NEEDY POPULATIONS IN THE REGION. (EMBASSY HAS 
CONSISTENTLY RAISED THIS MATTER WITH THE GOU.) ONE SPECIFIC 
SUGGESTION WOULD BE GOU REPAIR/MAINTENANCE OF THE LIRA- 
KITGUM ROAD, WHICH HAS APPARENTLY DETERIORATED OVER THE 
RECENT RAINY SEASON. 
 
¶16. GOU SHOULD PRIORITIZE A TRANSITIONAL FRAMEWORK TO MEET 
IDP NEEDS, INVOLVING BOTH ASSET BUILDING AND ACCUMULATION 
FOR THIS TARGET POPULATION. 
 
¶17. WHILE RECOGNIZING SECURITY CONSTRAINTS, A NUTRITION 
SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE PUT IN PLACE BY THE UN 
(WORKING WITH NGOS AS APPROPRIATE) TO TRACK TRENDS IN 
NUTRITIONAL STATUS, FOOD SECURITY AND RELATED ISSUES. 
SPECIFIC ATTENTION MAY BE PAID TO MONITORING THE NUTRITIONAL 
STATUS OF CHILDREN UNDER FIVE AND CRUDE MORTALITY RATE 
(CMR). WFP AND ITS PRINCIPAL IMPLEMENTING PARTNER NORWEGIAN 
REFUGEE COUNCIL ARE REQUESTED TO RECOMMENCE POST- 
DISTRIBUTION MONITORING WHEREVER POSSIBLE. OTHER NGOS WHERE 
APPROPRIATE SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO ACCOMPANY WFP PROTECTED 
CONVOYS. 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 04        ROME  06146  03 OF 04  271819Z 
 
¶18. WITH ESCALATING BENEFICIARY NUMBERS IN THE NORTHERN 
DISTRICTS, GOU IS ENCOURAGED TO STEP UP ITS OWN FOOD 
CONTRIBUTIONS TO WFP. (EMBASSY HAS ALREADY RAISED THIS WITH 
THE GOU.) 
 
¶19. GIVEN THAT THE EXTANT WFP/PRRO WAS APPROVED IN FEBRUARY 
2002, WFP NEEDS TO IMMEDIATELY RE-WRITE PARTS OF THE PRRO TO 
REFLECT THE NEW REALITIES ON THE GROUND. GIVEN THE 
STREAMLINING OF ITS TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS FROM MOMBASSA, 
THE PRESENT LTSH (LANDSIDE TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND HANDLING) 
RATE OF USD 167/METRIC TON (OF WHICH USD 95 IS IN-COUNTRY) 
NEEDS REVIEW AGAINST ACTUALS AND PROBABLE DOWNWARD 
ADJUSTMENT. 
 
¶20. USAID/FFP NEEDS TO PRIORITIZE FOOD ALLOCATIONS FOR THE 
WFP UGANDA PRRO AND GIVEN THE PIPELINE BREAK (FROM DECEMBER 
2002-JUNE 2003 THE SHORTFALL IS PROJECTED AT 39,815 METRIC 
TONS, WITH 70 PERCENT RATIONS DELIVERED ON AVERAGE SINCE 
LATE OCTOBER DUE TO LACK OF FOOD), STATE/PRM MAY WISH TO 
CONSIDER A CASH CONTRIBUTION IN THE RANGE OF USD ONE 
MILLION. 
 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
                           UNCLASSIFIED     PTQ1508 
 
PAGE 01        ROME  06146  04 OF 04  271820Z 
ACTION AID-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   AF-00    CIAE-00  DODE-00  WHA-00   SRPP-00  EB-00 
      EUR-00   UTED-00  VC-00    H-01     TEDE-00  INR-00   IO-00 
      L-00     VCE-00   AC-01    NSAE-00  NSCE-00  OES-00   OIC-02 
      OMB-01   PA-00    PM-00    PRS-00   ACE-00   P-00     SP-00 
      SS-00    STR-00   TEST-00  TRSE-00  T-00     USIE-00  PMB-00 
      PRM-00   DRL-02   G-00     SAS-00     /007W 
                  ------------------1D6A8F  271820Z /02 
P 271540Z DEC 02 
FM AMEMBASSY ROME 
TO AMEMBASSY KAMPALA PRIORITY 
SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7503 
USDA FAS WASHDC PRIORITY 2468 
INFO AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 
AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM 
AMEMBASSY KIGALI 
AMEMBASSY KINSHASA 
AMEMBASSY OTTAWA 
EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE 
USEU BRUSSELS 3034 
USMISSION GENEVA 
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 
 
UNCLAS SECTION 04 OF 04 ROME 006146 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME 
AMEMBASSY KAMPALA FOR AMBASSADOR KOLKER AND USAID DIRECTOR 
MOORE 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 02        ROME  06146  04 OF 04  271820Z 
USAID FOR ADMINISTRATOR NATSIOS, AA/DCHA WINTER, DCHA/D/FFP 
LLANDIS, USAID/GLOBAL/HEALTH, DCHA/OFDA BMCCONNELL 
STATE FOR IO A/S HOLMES, A/S PRM DEWEY, A/S AFR KANSTEINER, 
AF/E 
USDA/FAS FOR U/S PENN, MCHAMBLISS, RTILSWORTH AND LREICH 
NSC FOR JWDORKEN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR EU WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN
SUBJECT: DEEPENING HUMANITARIAN CRISIS - "THE ANGUISH OF 
NORTHERN UGANDA" 
 
¶21. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF WFP, THE UN'S INVOLVEMENT IN THE 
NORTH IS MARGINAL. GIVEN THE COMPLEXITY, MAGNITUDE AND 
FLUIDITY OF THE SITUATION, THE UN'S OFFICE FOR THE 
COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS (OCHA) NEEDS TO APPOINT 
AN EXPERIENCED HEAD OF OFFICE FOR THIS OPERATION. 
 
¶22. THE UN IS ENCOURAGED, IN THE APPOINTMENT OF THE NEXT 
UNDP RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE, TO SELECT SOMEONE WITH SOLID 
HUMANITARIAN EXPERIENCE. 
 
¶23. THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SHOULD CONTINUE TO 
VIGOROUSLY CONDEMN THE ABDUCTION OF CHILDREN BY THE LRA, AND 
URGE THE IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF ALL CHILD SOLDIERS AND 
CHILDREN AFFILIATED WITH COMBATANTS IN THE REGION. THIS WILL 
NECESSARILY INCLUDE INCREASING FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR 
DEMOBILIZATION AND REHABILITATION PROGRAMS FOR CHILD 
SOLDIERS, WITH ADEQUATE RESOURCES PROVIDED FOR PROGRAM 
MONITORING AND IMPLEMENTATION. LOCAL NGOS (SUCH AS GULU 
SUPPORT THE CHILDREN ORGANIZATION - GUSCO), CARITAS, AND THE 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 03        ROME  06146  04 OF 04  271820Z 
UGANDAN RED CROSS WOULD WELCOME ADDITIONAL SUPPORT. 
 
¶24. FAO NEEDS TO REESTABLISH AN EMERGENCY SEEDS AND TOOLS 
PRESENCE IN THE NORTHERN REGION. 
 
¶25. WFP AND ITS SISTER UN AGENCIES SHOULD INTENSIFY DIALOGUE 
WITH THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF RED CROSS/RED CRESCENT 
(IFRC) RELATED TO FURTHER STRENGTHENING OF THE UGANDAN RED 
CROSS IN HUMANITARIAN OUTREACH. 
 
¶26. WFP SHOULD CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE PROMOTION OF WOMEN TO 
POSITIONS OF LEADERSHIP, AND PARTICULARLY THEIR 
PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES. INFORMATION 
CAMPAIGNS ON THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED. 
 
¶27. WFP LOCAL COMMODITY PROCUREMENT (87,548 MTS OF CEREALS, 
PULSES AND BLENDED FOODS IN 2001-2002, VALUED AT USD 16.3 
MILLION) IS LAUDABLE, AND WITH A WIDER DONOR BASE, COULD BE 
FURTHER EXPANDED. 
 
¶28. FINALLY, THE EFFORTS OF THE ACHOLI RELIGIOUS LEADERS 
PEACE INITIATIVE (ARPLI) MERIT CONTINUING REVIEW. CATHOLIC 
ARCHBISHOP JOHN BAPTIST ODAMA OF GULU (WITH WHOM THE TEAM 
MET) IS A POWERFUL VOICE FOR PEACE BUILDING AND 
RECONCILIATION THROUGHOUT THE NORTH. 
 
¶29. MINIMIZE CONSIDERED. HALL 
 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
> 
@@@OASYS@@@ 
 
                           UNCLASSIFIED     PTQ1505 
 
PAGE 01        ROME  06146  01 OF 02  271817Z 
ACTION AID-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   AF-00    CIAE-00  DODE-00  WHA-00   SRPP-00  EB-00 
      EUR-00   UTED-00  VC-00    H-01     TEDE-00  INR-00   IO-00 
      L-00     VCE-00   AC-01    NSAE-00  NSCE-00  OES-00   OIC-02 
      OMB-01   PA-00    PM-00    PRS-00   ACE-00   P-00     SP-00 
      SS-00    STR-00   TEST-00  TRSE-00  T-00     USIE-00  PMB-00 
      PRM-00   DRL-02   G-00     SAS-00     /007W 
                  ------------------1D6A69  271817Z /02 
P 271540Z DEC 02 
FM AMEMBASSY ROME 
TO AMEMBASSY KAMPALA PRIORITY 
SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7500 
USDA FAS WASHDC PRIORITY 2465 
INFO AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 
AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM 
AMEMBASSY KIGALI 
AMEMBASSY KINSHASA 
AMEMBASSY OTTAWA 
EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE 
USEU BRUSSELS 3031 
USMISSION GENEVA 
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 
 
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ROME 006146 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME 
AMEMBASSY KAMPALA FOR AMBASSADOR KOLKER AND USAID DIRECTOR 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 02        ROME  06146  01 OF 02  271817Z 
MOORE 
USAID FOR ADMINISTRATOR NATSIOS, AA/DCHA WINTER, DCHA/D/FFP 
LLANDIS, USAID/GLOBAL/HEALTH, DCHA/OFDA BMCCONNELL 
STATE FOR IO A/S HOLMES, A/S PRM DEWEY, A/S AFR KANSTEINER, 
AF/E 
USDA/FAS FOR U/S PENN, MCHAMBLISS, RTILSWORTH AND LREICH 
NSC FOR JWDORKEN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR EU WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN
SUBJECT: DEEPENING HUMANITARIAN CRISIS - "THE ANGUISH OF 
NORTHERN UGANDA" 
 
REF: (A) KAMPALA 3065 
 
------- 
SUMMARY 
------- 
 
¶1. USMISSION/ROME HUMANITARIAN ATTACHE VISITED UGANDA 
DECEMBER 18-23, AND TRAVELED IN GULU DISTRICT IN THE 
NORTHERN REGION. SERIOUS INSECURITY THROUGHOUT THE REGION 
(GULU, KITGUM, LIRA AND PADER DISTRICTS) HAS LED TO THE 
DISPLACEMENT OF APPROXIMATELY 735,000 PEOPLE INTO CONGESTED 
SETTLEMENTS. THESE INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS (IDPS) ARE 
LARGELY DEPENDENT ON HUMANITARIAN AGENCIES (PARTICULARLY WFP 
AND A HANDFUL OF NGOS) FOR A MAJOR PORTION OF THEIR FOOD AND 
BASIC SERVICES. THERE IS GROWING CONCERN THAT CONTINUING 
INSECURITY WILL NOT PERMIT IDPS ACCESS TO THEIR HOMES AND 
FIELDS TO CULTIVATE FOOD IN THE MAJOR CROPPING SEASON WHICH 
BEGINS IN MARCH 2003. END SUMMARY. 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 03        ROME  06146  01 OF 02  271817Z 
 
--------------------------------------------- -------------- 
BACKGROUND - "GOVERNMENT SAYS WAR IS UNDER CONTROL WHEN THE 
REALITY IS THAT THE LOCAL SITUATION IS OUT OF CONTROL" 
(NGO REPRESENTATIVE BASED IN GULU) 
--------------------------------------------- -------------- 
 
¶2. USMISSION/ROME HUMANITARIAN ATTACHE TIM LAVELLE VISITED 
UGANDA DECEMBER 18-23 2002, AND TRAVELED WITH USAID FOOD FOR 
PEACE OFFICERS WALTER WELZ AND BRIAN BACON, AND WORLD FOOD 
PROGRAM STAFF (THE TRIP'S ABLE FACILITATOR) TO GULU DISTRICT 
INCLUDING THE ALERO DISPLACED PERSONS CAMP (35 KILOMETERS 
SOUTH WEST OF GULU, WHERE AN ESTIMATED 17,219 RESIDE). 
 
¶3. IN MARCH 2002, THE GOU LAUNCHED A MASSIVE 
COUNTERINSURGENCY MEASURE CALLED "IRON FIST"  - TO SEARCH 
OUT AND DESTROY LORD'S RESISTANCE ARMY (LRA) BASES. THIS HAS 
UNEXPECTEDLY PROMPTED THE ENTRY OF AN ESTIMATED 2000-3000 
LRA FORCES INTO UGANDA FROM SOUTHERN SUDAN, RESULTING IN 
INTENSIFIED ATTACKS ON THE CIVIL POPULATIONS IN THE NORTHERN 
REGION. AT PRESENT, PADER DISTRICT IS VIRTUALLY INACCESSIBLE 
TO UN STAFF WHERE THIS MONTH A WFP FOOD CONVOY TRAVELING ON 
THE LIRA-KITGUM ROAD NARROWLY ESCAPED AN AMBUSH. NOTE: THE 
ECONOMIC COST TO THE NATION OF THE CONFLICT IN THE NORTH IS 
REPORTEDLY ESTIMATED AT ABOUT USD 100 MILLION/ANNUM, OR SOME 
THREE PERCENT OF GDP. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ------------ 
THE "PROTECTED VILLAGE CONCEPT - "IPURO KI LWORO/YOU DIG 
WITH FEAR" 
--------------------------------------------- ------------ 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 04        ROME  06146  01 OF 02  271817Z 
 
¶4. THE THREE DISTRICTS OF GULU, KITGUM AND PADER ARE HOME TO 
MOST OF THE ACHOLI PEOPLE OF UGANDA. "PROTECTED VILLAGES" 
WERE CREATED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF UGANDA (GOU) AS A MEANS OF 
ISOLATING THE CIVILIAN POPULATION FROM THE LRA WHILE 
REDUCING THE ABILITY OF THE REBEL FORCE TO STRENGTHEN ITSELF 
THROUGH LOOTING AND ABDUCTIONS AND PREVENTING THE LRA FROM 
RECEIVING ACTIVE ASSISTANCE FROM THE POPULATION. 
 
¶5. IN GULU DISTRICT, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE VILLAGES 
FOLLOWED A DECISION BY THE MILITARY AUTHORITIES IN 1996. IN 
KITGUM/PADER, THE VILLAGES WERE MORE OFTEN ESTABLISHED AS A 
RESULT OF THE FLIGHT BY RURAL RESIDENTS FOLLOWING LRA 
ATTACKS IN 1995-97. 
 
¶6. LIVING IN THE VILLAGES HAS DRAMATICALLY CHANGED THE 
LIVELIHOODS OF THE PEOPLE IN THE 3 DISTRICTS. UNTIL EARLY 
2002, MANY HAD ACCESS TO THEIR LAND, WHICH ALLOWED THEM TO 
GROW SOME FOOD CROPS. WITH A RESURGENCE OF LRA ACTIVITIES IN 
APRIL, HOWEVER, HARVESTS OF MANY IDPS HAVE BEEN LOOTED, 
BURNT BY THE REBELS. MOREOVER, THE TIMING OF LRA ACTIVITIES 
INTERFERED WITH THE SECOND-SEASON CROPPING, (AUGUST- 
OCTOBER). CONSEQUENTLY, GAINS FROM LOCAL PRODUCTION, USUALLY 
 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
> 
 2002ROME06146 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED