The Effectiveness of Mine Action Programmes on the Reintegration Process of Communities in Gulu and Pader Districts, Northern Uganda.

Abstract

MWAKA WALTER (2006-03-MA-DL-024)

The Effectiveness of Mine Action Programmes on the Reintegration Process of Communities in Gulu and Pader Districts, Northern Uganda.

This study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of the Mine Action Programme on the reintegration of the community in Northern Uganda. The specific objectives of the study were to find out the different services offered under Mine Action Programme in the reintegration of the communities in Northern Uganda as well as examining people’s participation in the programme. The study also analysed the challenges/obstacles in the implementation of Mine Action Programme and provided viable remedies to improve on its implementation. The researcher used qualitative and quantitative approaches and the analysis of quantitative data was done by the use of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The sample size of 120 respondents was selected involving various categories of respondents. The study covered Gulu and Pader districts in Northern Uganda. The research findings revealed that the Mine Action Programme contributed substantially in the reintegration of the community in Northern Uganda through different services offered like; Victims‟ Assistance to people who were injured by land mines and other unexploded ordinances, Mine Risk Education through radio programmes and outreach activities including wall painting, use of mine risk educators, plays and t-shirts. Other contributions of Mine Action Programme include Stockpile Destruction as well as Humanitarian Demining and Advocacy for global intervention on issues regarding Land Mines and unexploded ordinances. The study came up with recommendations including; diversifying financial sources, promoting community participation, improving on the aspect of transparency, promoting specialised training on mine action programme and improving on coordination. All these suggestions are seen as the best means to improve mine action programme in Northern Uganda. Key words: Reintegration, Communities