Management of Postcolonial Intrastate Conflicts in Uganda: A Case of Northern Uganda
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Date
2015-08
Authors
Omona, Andrew David
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
This thesis analyses how the various postcolonial intrastate conflicts in Uganda and
the Northern region in particular have been managed. In pursuit of this the nature,
manifestation, causes, and effects of the postcolonial intrastate conflicts on the state
and social cohesion of the local people were specifically teased out. The successes
and failures of the mechanisms used for managing the conflicts were analysed with
the intent to assess the efficacy of peace building from below in managing ethno-social
conflicts in Northern Uganda. The researcher used qualitative design. The data for
the study was collected by the use of interviews, focus group discussion, observation
and literature analysis. Through using the phenomenological and descriptive
approach of data analysis, the study established that apart from the first two years of
independence, Uganda has gone through different sorts of conflicts. At different
points and geographical spaces, the triggers and drivers of Uganda's postcolonial
intrastate conflicts have been ethnicity, religion, natural resources, regionalism, and
the struggle for power thus leading to a deep seated division between Ugandans at the
national level. The degeneration of some of these conflicts at local levels in Northern
Uganda worked negatively to set the local people against each other. As such, wanton
destruction of lives and properties, wastage of national resources, and mistrust
became characteristic at local levels. Consequently, it led to retardation of
development, dehumanisation, the expression of revenge attitude and destruction of
social cohesion amongst local communities in Northern Uganda. Of the many
attempts made to address the different conflicts in Uganda and Northern Uganda in
particular, the efforts of the local people within the conflict area was found to be very
instrumental in addressing issues of conflicts at local levels. This is because such
people understand the local context of the conflict well thus making them address
such it contextually. To help promote the efforts of the local community in managing
conflicts at local levels, there is need for respect of established traditions, respect for
elders, empowerment of the local peace teams and sincerity in such processes, to
mention but a few.
Description
A thesis submitted to the school of humanities and social sciences in fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of doctor of philosophy (political studies) of
Kenyatta University, August 2015