Northern Uganda Background Information

by Julie Ng

Agoro is a war-torn rural community in Northern Uganda located in Kitgum District on the border with Sudan. Despite its fertile land and industrious population, Agoro (part of the Acholi people) has been devastated for 18 years due to mostly continuous civil conflicts. Many people have been killed or forced to fight for the rebels or join the UPDF faction due to poverty in the area. Many communities have lost their cattle, which are Agoro's main means of self-sustainability. The resulting poverty and general lack of security have made it virtually impossible for the inhabitants to work or attempt to rebuild.

Facts

• Population in Agoro: approx. 16,864
• Facilities: 6 primary schools, 2 healthcare centers
• Number of IDP camps in Agoro: 3
• Total population of these camps: approx 14,684
• Complexities: lack of electricity and safe transport
• Geographical area: Agoro and the encompassing Kitgum district area border with the Republic of Sudan in the North, the district of Kotido in the East: Gulu in the west: Lira in the South. Kitgum district has a total area of 16,136 square km covering the counties of Chua and Lamwo and the newly created district Pader.
• Number of refugees in Northern Uganda: approx. 800,000
• Refugee camps in Northern Uganda: With 18 years of war in the northern part of Uganda, many people are living in internal displaced person camps (IDP), the so-called protected camps. Since the Lord Resistance Army (LRA) began fighting President Yoweri Museveni's government in 1986, it has been estimated that about 73 camps have been established in Kitgum, 37 in Pader, 31 in Gulu, 2 in Soroti and 5 in Lira and Apach.