Resolving conflicts using traditional mechanisms in the Karamoja and Teso regions of Uganda

This paper details conflict resolution using traditional community based systems, such as elders’ arbitration councils in the Karamoja and Teso regions of northeast Uganda. It rationalises that the failure of state solutions to resolve conflict necessitates the need to use traditional responses that have been tried and time tested in these communities. Both communities have their own systems of negotiation and compensation to resolve conflicts. The authors assert that reviving and strengthening these systems can significantly contribute to reducing the levels of conflict in these areas.

The paper observes that traditional, community-based justice mechanisms have been used for a long time but have struggled to keep up with the increasing conflicts, community marginalisation, environmental degradation and displacement. The communities agree that the mechanisms are essential to local conflict resolution because they focus on rehabilitation and rebuilding of broken relationships within the community.

The paper makes the following recommendations to aid conflict resolution in 'traditional' communities in Uganda:

• government and civil society should involve local women in peace building and development initiatives
  
• government should expand the community-based security pilot projects in Karamoja, and the Teso region
  
• government, civil society organizations and donors should support coexistence initiatives while working with local and national government to establish security
  
• government should work closely with the community to develop community-based security programmes and alternative livelihoods in order to allow the remaining IDP camp populations to return to their communities
  
• government should engage with community elders, civil society organisations and international donors with experience to strengthen traditional conflict resolution mechanisms
  
• community representatives should dialogue on how to address historical grievances through a truth commission, use of conflict resolution mechanisms from elsewhere, dialogue between elders and documentary investigation.