EDITION 05 July 10 The SPRING Quarterly is published by SPRING, a USAID-funded project. 1

pringapril - june 2010

This quarter SPRING’s peace and justice projects have reached their activity implementation zenith. From peacefully resolving land disputes to hosting cross-border trade initiatives, SPRING and its partners have carried out practical and effective activities aimed at mitigating the causes and consequences of conflict in northern Uganda. In his speech to Parliament on the state of the nation this year, President Museveni stated that the Ministry of Education’s Guidance and Counseling program (implemented in partnership with UMECS and SPRING) is “one of Uganda’s proudest achievements…trainings should be replicated in other parts of the country.” At the other end of the spectrum beneficiaries are praising SPRING’s partnership. A SPRING farmer in Parabanga parish said, “We are grateful for the opportu-nity to learn how to solve conflict in our commu-nity peacefully and work together to find access to markets for our goods.” We hope you enjoy this fifth edition of the SPRING Quarterly. Jessica Huber, Director of Peace and Justice Programs.

Editorial

Quarterly

Collaborating to Resolve Land Disputes

SPRING, in partnership with its implementing partner Acholi Reli-gious Leaders Peace Initiative (ARLPI), conducted a three day Land Stake-

holders’ Collaboration Workshop at Lalogi Sub- County head quarters from April 12th -14th. The objective of the workshop was to promote coordination, collaboration and referral within the different stakeholders in resolving land disputes.

The workshop brought together the informal and formal justice land stakeholders at the sub county level, namely the Police, LCII, Area Land Committee, Sub County Court Council, traditional leaders (Rwodi moo) and Rwodi Kweri.

During the workshop, the different stake holders shared their roles, responsibilities and challenges in resolving land disputes and handling land related matters within their communities. They also had the opportunity of learning the procedures followed in formal and informal justice systems, mediation and

other modes of alternative dispute resolution.

In appreciating the workshop, an LCII chair-person stated that “I am grateful for this kind of training that harmonizes us the different land stakeholders, the Rwodi Kweri are of great as-sistance to us when adjudicating land disputes because they know the land boundaries more than us the LCIIs”.

A Rwot moo, as the cultural head of the Acholi traditional informal justice system in Lalogi, stated that “the formal justice system is a good point of reference especially when the conflicting parties do not feel satisfied with the mediation or have failed to reach an understanding and need further adjudication”

ARLPI has produced a stakeholders’ col-laboration manual that details the roles and responsibilities of the different stakeholders and contacts for collaboration and referral.A copy of the manual and corresponding IEC materials can be accessed at;www.springuganda.com.

EDITION 05 July 10 The SPRING Quarterly is published by SPRING, a USAID-funded project. �

From June 30th – July 1st, SPRING and its implement-ing partner International Alert, hosted the Uganda/South Sudan

Business Leaders Forum along with spon-soring and organizing partners, USAID/COMPETE, USAID/LEAD and USAID/FARM projects and the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Swed-ish International Development Agency (SIDA). The event was attended by 103

participants (29 from South Sudan, 74 from Uganda) representing the private sector, government and development partners and was facilitated by USAID LEAD consultant, Carlton Jones. The two day forum allowed participants to discuss constraints, opportunities and solutions to a variety of cross border is-sues framed around market access and financial services.The forum also includ-ed presentations on Building a Peace

Economy, Regulatory Frameworks Gov-erning Trade, and the Banking Sector’s Role in Supporting Trade.

At the end of the event it was agreed that the Ugandan and Southern Suda-nese Chambers of Commerce would be the lead agencies in lobbying their resepctive governments to adopt the recommendations proposed during the two day forum and that the final report would serve as a policy advocacy plat-form for future cross-border trade dis-cussions.

One of the additional benefits of the forum was the networking and cross-cultural experience it provided partici-pants which helped break down per-ceived stereotypes. This sentiment was captured nicely in the below message of appreciation that was received from a Kampala based woman entrpereneur.

“On behalf of the six ladies from the Wom-en Entreprenuer Development Programme, I would like to thank you for chairing the Uganda-Sudan Business forum. We learn’t a lot and overcome the fear we had, of do-ing business with the people from Southern Sudan, because from hear say we had built a lot of fear. By attending this forum we heard it from the horses mouth, and we are going to see how we can work with the South Sudan Women Entreprenuers. We had a chance to network with a lot of different people, even our fellow Ugan-dans who never knew we existed and they needed our services. Even for the advise you gave us when you talked to you,we are going to use it. Once again thanks a lot and be Blessed.”

UGANDA/SOUTHERN SUDAN BUSINESS LEADERS FORUM

Vice LCV Kitara QB. Mahmut Opens the Uganda-Southern Sudan Business Leaders Forum

EDITION 05 July 10 The SPRING Quarterly is published by SPRING, a USAID-funded project. �

On 1st and 8th June SPRING and its imple-menting partner Great Lakes Center for

Conflict Resolution conducted a one day Risk Assessment and Planning training for Gulu and Amuru District local government authorities. The training involved a range of district officials including sub county chiefs, L.C.III Chairpersons, extension staff, representatives of district reconcilia-tion and peace teams, District planners and commercial officers, Community Development Officers, District Chair-

Persons, Chief Administrative Officers, and Resident District commissioners.The training aimed at introducing the concept of conflict sensitivity main-streaming/risk assessment and planning to district authorities and enabling them to understand the relevance of this tool for district and sub-county development plans. The training was greatly appreciated by the participants. The district planner said: “from the concepts obtained from this discussion, we have to accept that conflict sensitivity is very vital. At the mo-ment we have finalized with our district

development plan (D.D.P), however we now know that our D.D.P is flexible to make necessary adjustments depending on the priorities and issues that may arise. I would also suggest and encourage the rest of my colleagues that this should be done right from the grass root levels”.The district chairman expressed his gratitude to the organizers of the training and commented that; “we just can’t get enough of conflict sensi-tivity. This training has helped us shape our thinking and instilled in us foresighted-ness to matters relating to conflicts that surrounds us.”

Gulu and Amuru District Officials Undertake Risk Assessment Planning

Amuru District Officials chaired by the Vice District Chairman

during an open discussion

Amuru District Officials After Being Newly Trained in Risk

Assessment and Planning.

EDITION 05 July 10 The SPRING Quarterly is published by SPRING, a USAID-funded project. �

A4A has been engaging the youth in Northern Uganda in sports and cultural activities

with the ultimate agenda of reconcilia-tion. In line with this, on Monday 10th May 2010, Athletes for Africa organised a football competition between youth from Ngai and Minakulu sub-counties in Oyam District. The venue of this particular competition was Ngai Sec-ondary School football grounds.

The theme of the sports event was ‘Positive engagement of youth, taking sports and peace to the next level’, with the main objective of encouraging good, positive and productive relation-ships between the youth.

In attendance were leaders from the District and sub-county as well as a multitude of community members who turned up (over 2,000 people were in attendance). As a prelude to the football match, the audience was entertained by Joint Traditional Dances from the youth of both sub-counties where the importance of peace was expressed and emphasised through drama, songs and dances.

On his part, the LC V of Oyam District Mr. Okello Mac’Odwogo (the Guest of honour) appreciated the initiative undertaken and applauded the fact that other alternative approaches to peace building were being explored, especially

sports, which has very positive results. As a symbol of peace building and enhancing cordial relationships between the two sub-counties, the LC V requested that the Inter-Dis-trict competitions be held with a similar theme, and promised to lobby the Government of Uganda to fully embrace and support such progressive initiatives.

In all, the successful sports event en-couraged team participation amongst youth, and built a stronger link be-tween the youth of Ngai and Minakulu sub-county.

Inter-subcounty Football Matches Kick-off in Oyam

Oyam LC V representative presents team trophies.

Ngai and Minakulu Sub-county Youth Line Up Before the Start of the Game

Inter-subcounty football teams playing against each other for the first time.

EDITION 05 July 10 The SPRING Quarterly is published by SPRING, a USAID-funded project. 5

SPRING Staff Profile

Christine Aoyo Grants Manager

Professional Expertise Development Worker and Grants Compliance Specialist

Education:MA Public Administration and Management -Gulu University; Certified Grants Management Course on USAID Rules and Regulations- PGD Project Planning and Management - Uganda Management Institute; Post graduate certificate in Research methods and writing skills- Uganda Management Institute; Certificate in Training of Trainers- Uganda Management Institute ; Bsc in Agriculture –Makerere University Kampala

Work Experience: Grants Manager, SPRING-2008-2010; Extension Supervisor, World Vision Title II DAP Project 2005-2007; Extension Facilitator, World vision Livelihood Security Project- 2004,Civic Educator/Returning officer, Electoral commission 2000;Member of Kulika Charitable Trust ,Uganda; Member of Advisory Board of Attiak Forum for Women’s Trust

Home: Amuru/ Attiak

Hobbies: Adventuring, Reading , Programming, Child Caring.

“SPRING Programs have played a significant role in rehabilitating Northern Uganda. The funds were well targeted through the period of implementation was short. Not only has the SPRING Stability Fund grants program supported communities in the recovery process but it has built many local organisations’ capacities for playing a critical role as the region moves further towards development”.

Christine Aoyo is the Grants Manager in the SPRING project. She has been in the forefront of directing the grants award process right from the pre-selection stage to the grants closure. Working directly with the component heads and project managers for the different Implementing partners as well as the senior accountant, she has ensured a transparent and efficient management of the grants.

Email contact: caoyo@springuganda.com/aoyoc@yahoo.com

SPRING in partnership with its implementing partner Ker Kwaro Acholi (KKA) conducted a two-day training for traditional

leaders on Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution. Participants were Chiefs, Elders and women representa-tives. The training was in response to increasing land disputes within Acholi land and with the neighboring tribes. Traditional leaders are often the first responders for these disputes and ex-pressed a need to hone their mediation skills. The training covered the aspects of conflict mitigation and management skills and conflict resolution mechanisms, with an emphasis on alternative dispute resolution and mediation.

In appreciating the project, His Highness the Paramount Chief of Acholi thanked

the SPRING project for intervening at the right time to address the challenges Acholi Cultural leaders are facing. He acknowledged that “Acholi leaders have skills and capacity to mediate land conflict, but these skills will be strengthened by the SPRING training so that leaders do not rely on traditional skills only.”

He added that the Rwodi and elders “need to be sensitive to the needs of children and women and should not allow culture to be used to infringe on their rights”

The participants acknowledged that the new mediation skills they have received will not only help them with resolv-ing land matters, but will help with all disputes brought to them by the com-munity.

Building Skills of Traditional Leaders

Mediation expert Martin Okello assists traditional leaders in their efforts to

resolve conflicts in their communities.

His highness David Onen Acana IIParamount Chief of Acholiland addresses

his traditional leaders on the importance

of sharpening their mediation skills at the

SPRING training.

EDITION 05 July 10 The SPRING Quarterly is published by SPRING, a USAID-funded project. �

collaboration and coordination of the dif-ferent stakeholders has promoted respect and good working relationship among the different stakeholders and has strengthened referral mechanisms. The project has further increased community knowledge on non violent resolution of land conflicts and the roles of the different stakeholders.

ARLPI’s involvement is not limited to their area of coverage as they are being internationally invited and involved in promoting peace particularly within the Great lakes regions, DRC, CAR and Sudan. The organization is engaged in promoting peace, restoration and recon-ciliation.

SPRING Project Manager: Agnes Gillian Ocitti, Access to Justice Assistant, aocitti@springuganda.com

Head Office: Plot 1GA Samuel Doe Road P.O.Box 36 Gulu, UGANDA Tel: +256 (0) 471 433506, Website: www.springuganda.com Email: information@springuganda.com

SPRING Implementing Team;

Cardno Emerging Markets, AVSI and STF

Date of Establishment: 1997Location: Gulu and Kitgum Coverage: Amuru, Gulu, Kitgum, Lamwo, Nwoya, Pader and Agago districts. Number of Staff: 17

SPRING Project: Land Stakeholders Collaboration

Project Highlight: The Land Stakehold-ers Collaboration project is improving the mechanisms for land dispute resolution by promoting stakeholders collaboration and coordination. ARLPI is contributing to a peace-ful transition of the post conflict situation by involving and engaging leaders at different levels in non violent dispute resolution. The

SPRING IP ProfileAcholi Religious Leaders Peace Initiative (ARLPI)

SPRING ACTIVITY CALENDAR- July-September 2010

An Action Plan for Peace

On June 17 the Pincer Group gathered 25 local government, civil society and traditional leaders from across northern Uganda to respond to preliminary conclusions of the USAID/SPRING project “Unpacking the ‘P’ in PRDP.” The UPP project aims to work with peace building and reconciliation stakeholders and Local Government leaders across PRDP Districts to develop a prioritized plan of action for taking forward the delivery of PRDP Strategic Objective #4, “Peace building and Reconciliation”

PRDP Commissioner chats with a traditional elder from Amuru district

DATE

19-23/07/10

27-28/07/10

29/7/10

31/7/10

29/7/010- 24/8/10

2-6/8/10

2-20/8/010

2-13/8/ 010

17-18/8/010

20,22,30/7/10-3/8/10

9-20/08

12/8/10

12/8/10

8/10

10-19/8/10

11-13/8/10

15/08

16/8/10

20/08

26/08

26/8/10

9/9/10

ACTIVITY

Training of ECD Caregivers

Training of ECD Management Committees

Launch of Land Stakeholders’ Manual

Inter-school Peace Activity Competition

CMC Marketing plan follow up

Collective Marketing Group Study Tour

Cooperative Registration of Collective

Marketing Groups

Procurement of Moisture Meters and Pallets

Training on Managing Cooperatives

WANG OO

District Production Sector Risk Assessment Planning

Training

KKA Chiefs Communications Meeting

Meeting of Chiefs on internal communication

ECCD Centers handover

Launch of Lacan Kwite Design Training

Distribution of vocational start-up kits

Micro-stability Fund CBO Exchange Visits

Handover of poultry incubator

Community Peace Day in Otuke District

Conflict Mitigation Management and Risk Assessment

Planning for SPRING Collective Marketing Committees

Oil Dialogue in Nywoya District Handover

of nursery to Gulu Youth

Development Association