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UGANDA
International Alert conducted background research in 2005-06 that explored the links between economy and conflict in Uganda, and the role that the private sector has played in response to conflict across the country.
In 2005-06, International Alert conducted background research that explored the links between economy and conflict in Uganda, and the role that the private sector has played in response to conflict across the country. Research findings showed that mobilising the economic actors and the Ugandan business community for peace was a strategically important sector that remained overlooked in this post-conflict environment and as economic recovery was gaining ground. Currently, under a three-year grant provided by the Swedish International Development Assistance (SIDA) through the Swedish Embassy, our programme in Uganda aims to generate a shift in policy and decision-making among government officials, international organisations, development partners and the private sector, to align the economy with peace. Longer term, we plan to broaden our work in Uganda to include other complementary peacebuilding activities, such as: working with the business community to promote peaceful elections, promoting locals stakeholder dialogue on economic recovery, and encouraging responsible and transparent use of natural resources, such as oil, for sustained peace and equitable development in Uganda. CURRENT PROJECT- Aligning the Economy with Peacebuilding in Uganda
We are currently in the final phases of implementing a three-year project funded by Swedish SIDA. Our work seeks to contribute to a shift in policy and decision-making among government officials, international organisations, development agencies and the private sector, to align the economy with peace. Recently, Alert’s efforts in promoting peaceful economic recovery in Northern Uganda were boosted by a supplementary grant under USAID/SPRING to support district-led dialogue with economic stakeholders in Gulu, Amuru, Pader and Kitgum. Longer term, we plan to broaden our work in Uganda to include other complementary peacebuilding activities, such as: working with the business community to promote peaceful elections, promoting local stakeholder dialogue on economic recovery, and encouraging responsible and transparent use of natural resources, such as oil, for sustained peace and equitable development in Uganda.
Purpose To assist Ugandans to build a more peaceful and stable Uganda by addressing the underlying causes of violent conflict Objectives
 INVESTING IN PEACE
Under what has become know as the Investing in Peace Series (IPS), Alert commissions and conducts research, analysis to explore the interplay between economic development and conflict in Uganda as well to shape advocacy targeting policy-makers in government, development partners, civil society organizations and the private sector.  BUILDING A PEACE ECONOMY IN NORTHERN UGANDA
Alert has begun to work closely with local leaders and others stakeholders in the districts of Amuru, Gulu, Kitgum and Pader, to promote peaceful economic recovery through the District Dialogue Series (DDS). Gathering economic actors, community leaders, government authorities and other stakeholders the DDS aims to influence economic recovery at the local level.  COUNTERING THE CONFLICT IMPACTS OF OIL
Alert is promoting more positive outcomes from oil in Uganda than those that have been experienced in the wider region.  BUSINESS FOR PEACE INITIATIVES
International Alert is engaged in discussions with key business leaders regarding their potential to contribute to peacebuilding through core business activities; through social investment or corporate social responsibility; and through their wider influence in society, or advocacy. CONTEXT
Uganda has undergone violent armed conflict almost continuously since independence. International Alert has found through its research and field work that the domestic private sector – whether operating at the level of industry or at a smaller scale of activity, including in the informal sector – is often motivated to contribute to peace, and in some situations has the resources, skills and capacities to do so, across a range of peacebuilding areas. Conversely, business can also play a role in fuelling or exacerbating conflict causes and dynamics. Broader decisions and interventions made in the economic policy arena by governments and international donors can have a significant impact on conflict. Taken together, research and response to economy and conflict; economy and peace represents a critical new area of peacebuilding policy and practice.
 INVESTING IN PEACEThis series of reports targets policy-makers in government, development partners, civil society organisations and the private sector, and explores the interplay between economic development and conflict in Uganda. Its purpose is to promote a political-economy reading of Ugandan conflicts, and the essential economic dimensions of peacebuilding.
Two major pieces of research have thus far been produced: Building a Peace Economy in Northern Uganda: Conflict-Sensitive Approaches to Recovery and Growth (Sept 2008) and Harnessing Oil for Peace and Development in Uganda: Understanding National, Local and Cross-boarder Conflict Risks Associated with Oil Discoveries in the Albertine Rift (Sept 2009). A third production, A Guide for Investors in Northern Uganda was released in June 2009 and the next Investing in Peace Series (IPS) installment exploring economic opportunities and its implications for women in Northern Uganda is underway with findings expected by June 2010. In addition to its value as an advocacy tool, strategically, IPS research will continue to provide Alert’s analytical framework for practical future programming and related interventions in Uganda From 2008, our research has pointed to a renewed sense of opportunity emerging through the efforts to rebuild the Northern Uganda economy. Both the Government of Uganda and development partners are now emphasising the need to move away from relief distribution towards longer-term economic recovery and development plans, while the private sector looks to make the most of these opportunities. Alert’s IPS Issue No. 1, Building a peace economy in Northern Uganda: Conflict-sensitive approaches to recovery and growth, focuses on these plans, reviewing them from a conflict-sensitive and peacebuilding perspective. Its emphasis is on the economic dimensions of peace in Northern Uganda highlighting both the political-economic dimensions of conflict, and the failure of peace processes globally to deliver “peace dividends” that address structural economic imbalances that have detracted from peace. The report includes findings from a survey conducted in four districts of Northern Uganda exploring people’s own perceptions about their economic circumstances, and hopes and fears for the future. IPS Issue No 1. Guide for Investors Understanding national, local and cross-border conflict risks associated with oil discoveries in the Albertine Rift examines the potential of Uganda’s newly discovered oil reserves and recommends increased transparency through information, principled leadership, conflict sensitivity to build national harmony in order to utilise the economic opportunities of oil discovery for broad-based peace and development in Uganda. Issue No. 2 includes findings from a survey conducted in four districts of the Albertine Rift. IPS Issue No 3. Post-War Economic Opportunities for Women BUILDING A PEACE ECONOMY IN NORTHERN UGANDA
Following the contribution to broadening perspectives on peacebuilding in Northern Uganda and to understanding the risks associated with the region’s economic recovery discussed in Issue No.1, Alert has continued to discuss report findings with key government policy-makers and officials, in particular, an advisory team to the president and within the Ministry of Agriculture. In terms of programming, Alert has also recognised an absence of debate and dialogue necessary to develop a shared vision on economic recovery in the north. This seems a major contributor to high levels of mistrust and a potential conflict flash point. To address this challenge, Alert has begun to work closely with local leaders and others stakeholders in the districts of Amuru, Gulu, Kitgum and Pader to promote peaceful economic recovery through the District Dialogue Series (DDS). Gathering economic actors, community leaders, government authorities and other stakeholders, the DDS aims to influence economic recovery at the local level. Further, Alert is supporting local economic agents, such as chambers of commerce and business collectives, to strengthen their role as stakeholders and allies in peacebuilding, through Local Business Local Peace trainings which highlight ways in which businesses can contribute locally to peacebuilding.
COUNTERING CONFLICT IMPACTS OF OIL
To complement Issue No. 2, Harnessing Oil for Peace and Development in Uganda, Alert is focusing on a wide-ranging strand of work to promote more positive outcomes from the discovery of oil in Uganda than wider region has experienced. These include: coalition-building with civil society; support of oil information centres; producing information sheets which will be translated into local languages and disseminated widely at the local level; training and exchanges with the media and parliamentarians as part of an effort to improve access to information and minimise conflicts; advocacy with companies and governments; and facilitation of exchange visits with counterparts from other African oil-producing states.
BUSINESS FOR PEACE INITIATIVES Drawing on its experience in other country contexts where the private sector has taken a prominent role in identifying their role in supporting peace processes or related peacebuilding initiatives, International Alert is engaged in discussions with key business leaders regarding their potential to contribute to peacebuilding through core business activities; through social investment or corporate social responsibility; and through their wider influence in society, or advocacy. Our engagement includes reaching out to large-scale industry leaders in different sectors as well as to smaller-scale entrepreneurs dealing with conflict issues at a local level. The initial focus has been on investors that are already investing or have plans to invest in Northern Uganda, and includes ongoing collaborations with the group that developed The Guide for Investors in Northern Uganda. Other initiatives include supporting, networking and alliance-building between investors based in Northern Uganda and their counterparts in Kampala.
PUBLICATIONS Harnessing Oil for Peace and Development in Uganda
Author(s): Jessica Banfield This discovery of oil, taking place within a context of a variety of tensions that exist on both sides of the DRC-Uganda border, represents a potential risk of conflict and presents a peacebuilding challenge for local communities, the government, private sector investors, donors and civil society. With a proactive approach that takes into account conflict risks, the dual dividend of peace and development can be realised through the equitable and transparent exploitation of this resource. Download pdf | More Information  Uganda: Enabling peace economies through early recovery
Author(s): Jessica Banfield with Jana Naujoks The case of Northern Uganda illustrates the pitfalls that exist for those who seek to ‘move early’ to lay the foundations for economic recovery following the signing of a peace agreement, or even in the absence of one. The report identifies several elements and priorities for enabling a peace economy in the region, including facilitating peaceful return of IDPs and mitigating land conflicts; offering opportunities for youth; and promoting conflict-sensitive investment. Download pdf | More Information  Building a Peace Economy in Northern Uganda: Conflict-sensitive approaches to recovery and growth
Author(s): International Alert The attention and interest of the various stakeholders in rebuilding Northern Uganda’s economy as part of peace and recovery present critically important opportunities for positive change and a move to sustainable peace in the region, following years of economic decline and underdevelopment during the decades of conflict. But how strategic are these plans, given the challenges that persist, and when seen from a peacebuilding perspective? Are the opportunities to address root causes, immediate consequences, and ongoing threats of war being seized? What are the unforeseen risks of a re-emergence of conflict posed by some approaches? And how can these best be mitigated? This first issue of International Alert’s Investing in Peace briefing paper series seeks to answer these questions, in order to serve as a stimulus to more conflict-sensitive policy and practice. Its intended audience are policy-makers and implementers in central and local government, as well as development partners (including NGOs), and private sector local to, or doing business in, the region. In order to contextualise its analysis, the report presents an overview of the political economy of war in Northern Uganda, before proceeding to review the different interventions being made or proposed for the region’s economic recovery. Download pdf | More Information  Participation politique des femmes dans les pays sortant d’un conflit dans la région des Grands Lacs en Afrique
Author(s): International Alert Download pdf | More Information  Women’s political participation in countries emerging from conflict in the Great Lakes Region of Africa: Report of the Consultation Workshop
Author(s): International Alert Download pdf | More Information  Enhancing the EU response to women and armed conflict with particular reference to Development Policy: Study for the Slovenian Presidency of the EU
Author(s): Andrew Sherriff with Karen Barnes Download pdf | More Information  Mobilising the Ugandan Business Community for Peace: Scoping Study – Summary Report
Author(s): International Alert Download pdf | More Information  International Programme on Internal Conflict in Uganda 1987-89
Author(s): International Alert Download pdf | More Information  Click here for an account of a Gacaca awareness-raising meeting. Click here to join our mailing list and receive our monthly e-bulletin |
