Peace and recovery in Northern Uganda

Northern Uganda has also been a main focus of attention: the European Commission has being supporting the populations of the LRA affected areas and of Karamoja throughout the violent events of the last 20 years. The EC is actively taking part to the reconstruction effort by providing support to the implementation of the Northern Uganda Peace, Recovery and Development Plan (PRDP) and the Karamoja Integrated Disarmament and Development Programme (KIDDP) through specific rural development interventions. Peace and recovery are now a reality in the region; the vast majority of Internally Displaced People have returned to their homeland and general food distribution have stopped.

The Northern Uganda Rehabilitation Programme (NUREP, 20 million Euro) and the Post Floods Rehabilitation of Rural Roads and Social Infrastructures in Northern Uganda (5 million Euro)were 2 of the first projects to deliver under the PRDP. With their support, the following results have been achieved: local government's services strengthened in 19 districts; 400 livelihoods interventions supported; 155 classrooms, 17 secondary schools, 375 latrines, 23 health centres, 67 staff houses, 11 Local Government offices, 235 boreholes, 15 dams and windmills, 295 km feeder roads, 7 police posts constructed/rehabilitated, 618 km of community access roads rehabilitated, 84 acres of woodlots established, 5 springs protected, 3 fishponds and 3 cattle crushes built, 4 markets rehabilitated with EU funds

Building on the achievements of NUREP, two new interventions to support rural livelihoods in LRA affected areas and Karamoja, in line with the PRDP, have started their operational phase. The Agricultural Livelihoods Recovery Programme (ALREP, 20 million Euro) intends to assist 75,000 war affected households to engage in productive and profitable agriculture and agri-business in Acholi, Lango and Teso regions. Former Internally Displaced Persons returning to their home communities will have an opportunity to regain their place among the food secure and take advantage of the markets for agricultural produce opening up in the region.

The Karamoja Livelihoods Programme (KALIP, 15 million Euro), addresses the special needs of agro-pastoral communities, protecting and enhancing incomes and food security. In this hostile environment, where natural resources are being rapidly degraded, it is crucial to help communities build their own productive assets. KALIP intends to secure and improve agro-pastoral production through better services, cash for work, small-scale water infrastructure, support to agricultural diversification and capacity building for the communities and local governments. KALIP will also promote alternative livelihoods, and contribute to the pacification process.