High Commissioner for Human Rights issues update report on Karamoja

3 September 2007


The human rights situation in Uganda’s Karamoja region has witnessed significant improvements over the last four months, the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights says in its latest report covering the period 1 April to 12 August 2007.

The report highlights the improvements in the security and human rights situation in the area as well as advances made by the national army, Uganda Peoples' Defense Forces (UPDF), in conducting disarmament operations. It stresses, among other things, the marked reduction in the number of reported and alleged cases of human rights violations, as well as reductions in road ambushes and in the number of illegal guns and ammunition circulating in the area.

Cattle raids and subsequent retaliation by armed Karimojong, in this area of the north-eastern Uganda inhabited by close to 1 million people, however, rank as the highest recorded violence inflicted on the population over the reporting period.

As a follow-up to a report issued in April 2007, this update calls on those committing criminal acts in Karamoja to be held consistently accountable and punished in line with international standards of fair trial. The report also raises concerns about impunity within the army when human rights violations such as killings, cruel and inhuman punishments are committed. It calls on the authorities to hold perpetrators accountable and to adopt a national response to combat impunity.

The report, which was discussed with the Defense Ministry in a constructive meeting, acknowledges progress made by Government in the areas of revised strategic operational deployment, confidence-building, and improved civil-military relations. However, it calls on development initiatives to be implemented in Karamoja as the only sustainable means of bringing about stability.

The report includes recommendations that the Government:
· Take appropriate and effective measures to combat impunity;

· Continue to respect its obligations to protect the human rights of all individuals within its territory and under its jurisdiction;

· Strengthen the civilian administration of justice institutions and structures in Karamoja, including by deploying permanent professional judicial and law enforcement personnel to the area;

· Investigate alleged perpetrators of human rights violations in conformity with international standards.

The High Commissioner commends the Government of Uganda for its continued engagement with her Office in Uganda in monitoring and improving the human rights situation in Karamoja.

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For use of the information media; not an official record