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Item Climate Refugees and Forced Migrations: Emerging Refugee Question in Lamwo District in Northern Uganda(EANSO, 2026-07-27) Alidri Agatha; Lalam Nancy Susan; Okello Simon; Ochen Patrick; Reynolds White SusanIntroduction: This study examined the impacts of the February–May 2024 heatwave in South Sudan, highlighting the migration of climate refugees to the Palabek Refugee Settlement in Uganda. Methodology: It was based on a historical design and a qualitative approach, involving semi-structured questionnaires, key informant interviews and observation as the data collection methods. Key findings: Climate refugees (or climate-induced displaced persons) as individuals or groups forced to cross international borders due to the severe and escalating impacts of climate change. Extreme weather and worsening living conditions in regions like Juba, Magwii County, and Torit displaced ethnic groups such as the Nuer, Acholi, and Lango, exposing vulnerabilities tied to food insecurity, poverty, and political instability. The influx of refugees has strained Palabek’s social services, worsened environmental degradation, and fueled inter-tribal conflicts. Overcrowding in schools and inadequate infrastructure threaten education quality, while social tensions underline the need for culturally sensitive interventions and conflict-resolution strategies. Key entry points, such as the Nimule-Atiak-Gulu-Lokung route, facilitate multigenerational migration flows. Conclusion and Recommendations: The study advocates for regional policies addressing climate-induced migration through investments in environmental sustainability, education, and psychosocial support. The study believes effective management requires collaboration between governments, international organisations, and refugee-host communities to build resilience and address these multifaceted challenges.Item Historizing Gender in Household Production and Use of Cooking Fuels in Amuru District, Northern Uganda(EAST AFRICAN NATURE & SCIENCE ORGANIZATION, 2025-08-22) Mbazalire,Ezekiel; Alidri,Agatha; Okello,Simon; Aoyo,Christine; Atube,Francis; Okello,Collins; Mogensen, hanne Overgoard; Okumu, Charles NelsonThis study examined the gendered historical production and use of cooking fuels in Amuru District in Northern Uganda, focusing on household gender involvement, specialisation, and division of labour in cooking. The availability and accessibility of cooking fuels significantly affect household energy security, health, power relations, and gender dynamics (Bamwesigye et al., 2020). This study used a qualitative approach and historical research designs. The methods of data collection used were participatory rural approach (PRA), focus group discussions, participant observation (ethnography), document analysis, and one-on-one individualinterviews. Respondents included the elderly, young women, young men, and children. The major findings revealed that the primary cooking fuels used in these rural communities included firewood, black charcoal, crop residues, and kerosene. Gender plays a crucial role in producing and using cooking fuels, with women predominantly responsible for collectingfirewood and other biomass resources. This gendered division of labour has implications for women's time burden, health, and overall well-being. The study concluded by identifying challenges faced by rural communities in accessing clean and sustainable cooking fuels. The reliance on traditional biomass fuels contributes to deforestation, indoor air pollution, and adverse health effects. This study recommends the involvement of women in decision-making processes related to household production and the use of cooking fuels, including planning, implementation, and monitoring. This will ensure that their needs and perspectives are taken into account, provide training and capacity-building opportunities to women on sustainable charcoal production techniques, efficient stove use, and environmental conservation practices. This will empower women to participate more actively in the green charcoal value chain and address gender-based barriers by ensuring women have equal access to land, finances, technology, and other necessary resources for green charcoal production. This can be achieved through targeted policies and programs.Item Parliaments and Post-Conflict Justice: Amplifying the Voices of Children Born in LRA Captivity in Northern Uganda(EAST AFRICAN NATURE & SCIENCE ORGANIZATION, 2025-08-08) Ochen, Simon; Alidri,Agatha; Okello,SimonThis paper explores the intersection of parliamentary action and post-conflict justice in Northern Uganda, with a specific focus on children born in captivity during the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency. Methodology: The qualitative, participatory research design was employed, with the use of In-depth oral interviews, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), Key Informant Interviews, Document Review and Participatory Tools to collect the necessary data. Findings: Key emerging themes include existential crisis of identity, stigma and social exclusion, structural marginalisation and legal invisibility, psychological and intergenerational trauma, aspirations and the power of voice. Conclusions: The stories shared by children born in captivity, their mothers, and various community stakeholders reveal persistent exclusion and neglect. At the policy level, the voices of one of the policy makers confirm that the issue of children born in captivity remains an overlooked category in national development plans and postconflict frameworks. Amplifying these voices is a moral and historical obligation, requiring a collective reimagining of community, policy, and tradition, one where inclusion is not conditional on lineage or legitimacy, but anchored in shared humanity. Recommendations: This paper argues that Parliament has both a moral and constitutional obligation to address the structural barriers confronting these children, targeted legislative interventions, and culturally sensitive integration programs. It further recommends psychological healing and mental health interventions, educational support and livelihood empowerment, religious engagement and faith-based support, and inclusive national dialogues that centre these children as rightful stakeholders in Uganda’s post-conflict future.Item Street Language and Social Survival in Gulu City: Insights from Aguu, the Socially Excluded Youth(EAST AFRICAN NATURE & SCIENCE ORGANIZATION, 2025-01-07) Omara,Christopher John; Alidri,Agatha; Okello,Simon; Ochen,Patrick; Kabwijam, PatrickThis paper examines the role of street language as a survival skill among the street children ‘Aguu’, a socially excluded youth in Gulu City, who continuously face stigmatization and discrimination in the community. The study used a qualitative research approach and historical design, involving participant observation, life history interviews and in-depth one-on-one oral interviews as data collection methods. Key findings from recent studies indicate that, over time, street language has emerged as a significant marker of social identity, particularly among marginalized and alienated groups. This linguistic phenomenon is especially prevalent among the youth, often derogatively referred to as "Aguu" by mainstream society. The study argues that street language fosters unity and identity among its speakers, acting as a form of resistance to societal exclusion. The study also contends that the culture of the youth, urbanization and post-conflict recovery have intensified and extended linguistic perspectives and forms of street communication, as economic and social transformations that reshape language use in Gulu City. This paper maintains that street language plays a crucial role as a means of identity and resilience for the socially excluded youth in Gulu City, as it allows them to navigate life on issues related to security, relationship-related inclusion, daily needs, conflict resolution, employment and medical needs. The paper concludes that the experiences of street children in Gulu City illustrate their resilience, adaptability, and determination to survive amidst systemic exclusion and societal neglect. Accordingly, the study recommends community-based support systems in order to create safe spaces and support networks for street children, provision of accessible and affordable mental health care and substance abuse counselling, as well as collaborative inclusive language and reduced stigma efforts to humanize experiences of these children, and foster greater community empathy and understanding within Gulu City. Above all, the study argues that both social institutions and government agencies should abandon the use of the term 'Aguu' to refer to street children, as it serves as a primary mechanism of social exclusion. This term, which has been adopted by both society and governmental bodies, carries derogatory connotations and reinforces the marginalization of these individuals.Item The Silent Impact of Pandemic:(EAST AFRICAN NATURE & SCIENCE ORGANIZATION, 2025-10-20) Alidri,Agath; Kayeny,Emily Uramba; Anicia,Filda; Apio,Winnie; Ochen,Patrick; Kabwijamu,Patrick; Okello Simon; Nyamungu,Proscovia; Giramiya,Esther; Musaasizi Richard; Tumanye Samson; Awor, Susan; Atube, Francis; Okumu,CharlesFrom a gender perspective, this study investigated the consequences of COVID-19 on adolescent and youth reproductive health in Acholi Sub-region, Northern Uganda. The study aimed to: i) analyse the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on adolescent and youth reproductive health and gender relations, ii)explore treatment-seeking behaviours among adolescents and youth, iii) equip health workers with skills to address reproductive health challenges, and iv) enhance their capacity to conduct gender-sensitive research during crises. A qualitative approach and longitudinal design was used, employing one-on-one interviews, community engagement sessions, radio talk shows, and observations. The study involved participants from Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, Reproductive Health Uganda, outreach programs, and urban neighbourhoods, including adolescents, youth, health workers, and key informants. It was conducted across Gulu City, Gulu District, Obongi District, and Adjumani District, encompassing 34 schools, the Northern Uganda Youth Development Centre, Gulu Juvenile Prison, and Gulu University. Findings indicated a significant increase in gender-specific challenges, including a rise in teenage pregnancies, unwanted pregnancies, early marriages, and crossgenerational sexual relationships. Male adolescents faced psychological stressdue to unemployment and the inability to fulfil societal expectations, while female adolescents disproportionately experienced reproductive health risks. The study concludes that the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted Ugandan youth's reproductive health, with adolescent females experiencing more disempowerment and risky behaviours. The study recommends implementation of targeted and gender-sensitive interventions, strengthening collaboration among health workers, adolescents, youth groups and community leaders, promotion of mental health empowerment programs, as well as continued strengthening of health system responsiveness to youth needsItem Climate Refugees and Forced Migrations: Emerging Refugee Question in Lamwo District in Northern Uganda(EAST AFRICAN NATURE & SCIENCE ORGANIZATION, 2025-06-27) Lalam,Nancy Susan; Alidri, Agatha; Okello,Simon; Ochen, Patrick; Reynolds Susan WhyteThis study examined the impacts of the February–May 2024 heatwave in South Sudan, highlighting the migration of climate refugees to the Palabek Refugee Settlement in Uganda. Methodology: It was based on a historical design and a qualitative approach, involving semi-structuredquestionnaires, key informant interviews and observation as the data collection methods. Key findings: Climate refugees (or climate-induced displaced persons) as individuals or groups forced to cross international borders due to the severe and escalating impacts of climate change. Extreme weather and worsening living conditions in regions like Juba, Magwii County, and Torit displaced ethnic groups such as the Nuer, Acholi, and Lango, exposing vulnerabilities tied to food insecurity, poverty, and political instability. The influx of refugees has strained Palabek’s social services, worsened environmental degradation, and fueled inter-tribal conflicts. Overcrowding in schools and inadequate infrastructure threaten education quality, while social tensions underline the need for culturally sensitive interventions and conflict-resolution strategies. Key entry points, such as the Nimule-Atiak-Gulu-Lokung route, facilitate multigenerational migration flows. Conclusion and Recommendations: The study advocates for regional policies addressing climate-induced migration through investments in environmental sustainability, education, and psychosocial support. The study believes effective management requires collaboration between governments, international organisations, and refugee-host communities to build resilience and address these multifaceted challenges.Item An Inquiry into the Lived Experiences of Child Soldiers within the Lord's Resistance Army Insurgency in Amuru District, 1987-2024(EAST AFRICAN NATURE & SCIENCE ORGANIZATION, 2025-07-14) Ochen,Patrick; Odong James Bosco; 0kello, Simon; Alidri,AgathaFocusing on the heavily impacted region of Amuru District, this research delved into the lived experiences of former child soldiers conscripted by the LRA from 1987 to 2024. The study’s specific objectives were to: (i) examine the recruitment and abduction strategies employed by the LRA in Amuru District,(ii) investigate the experiences encountered, and (iii) assess the psychological and social effects of these experiences on child soldiers. Based on a qualitativeapproach and phenomenological design, the study used in-depth interviews,participant observation and Focus Group Discussions to collect the requireddata. The LRA leaders used systematic indoctrination and forced recruitment,instilling fear and dismantling social structures. The experiences included forced participation in violent killings often against their own communities, inhuman punishments, physical abuse, starvation and constant threats of death. Despite demonstrating remarkable resilience, many former child soldiers continue toface significant obstacles, including social stigma and economic hardship. The Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) strategically abducted children, using violent tactics to ensure dependency. The group systematically dismantled their identities through abuse and ritualised violence, inflicting lasting psychological trauma and social stigma. After the conflict, these former child soldiers face a difficult reintegration, with their trauma fueling a cycle of violence and poverty that destabilises entire communities. A multi-pronged mental health approach for addressing the complex trauma experienced by former child soldiers. Combat social stigma and rejection through structured, community-wide sensitisation and reconciliation initiatives, develop accelerated learning programs to build foundational literacy and numeracy skills, and commission and fund longitudinal studies that track the well-being of survivors and their families over time.Item Historicising Land Conflicts And The Balaalo Factor In Northern Uganda, 1986-2023(EAST AFRICAN NATURE & SCIENCE ORGANIZATION, 2024-08-15) Alidri,agatha; Okello, Simon; Mbazaliire, Ezekiel; Oceng Geoffrey OsbornThis study examines the historical relationship between land conflicts and Balaalo factor in Northern Uganda from 1986 to 2023. The qualitative research and historical design was adopted in the study. Data was collected using key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and in-depth interviews with community members, district administrators, non-Balaalo migrants, and Balaalo pastoralists. A sample size of 155 participants was interviewed. These included; the Balaalo (15), non-Balaalo migrants (15), cultural leaders (05), local area politicians (10) as key informants, and the local community members (110) from the three respective districts. The findings reveal a complex interplay of socio-political, economic, and cultural factors shaping land disputes and Balaalo’s involvement in the region. The historical land dispossession of Balaalo pastoralists, within and outside Uganda, and the political and economic shifts, triggered their migration and settlement in Northern Uganda. Elite Balaalo, leveraging ethnic, political, and military connections, are key actors in land acquisition and resource exploitation in the region, exacerbating tensions with local communities. This study highlights the need for comprehensive reforms in land governance, community dialogue, livelihood diversification, law enforcement, cultural sensitivity, and sustainable development planning to address underlying causes of land conflicts and promote peaceful coexistence in the regionItem Experiences with Green Charcoal: A Gender Consideration of Rural and Urban Households in Gulu District(EAST AFRICAN NATURE & SCIENCE ORGANIZATION, 2024-11-03) Okello,Simon; Alidri Agatha; Mbazalire,Ezekiel; Aoyo Christine; Atube Francis; Okello,COllins; Okumu Charles NelsonThe study focused on the use of green charcoal, a sustainable cooking fuel made from agricultural residues, in Gulu District, to highlight the experiences households have encountered, from a gender perspective. The study followed a cross-sectional design using qualitative approach which included the use of one-on-one interviews, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and ethnographic observations for data collection. The findings show that households in Gulu District use acombination of cooking fuels such as firewood, wood charcoal, green charcoal, or gas. Furthermore, the study established that there were cases where both men and women had shared experiences in cooking, for example, knowledge of the faster cooking rate, cleanliness, and much ash content involved while using green charcoal. However, to a larger extent, there were gendered differences in cooking activities: while women predominantly handle cooking, men often influence decisions about what and how to cook, revealing underlying gender and power dynamics within households. Key findings indicate that green charcoal is favored for its affordability relative to traditional black charcoal, prolonged burn time, and higher heat output, though it is also harder to light and produces more ash. It is particularly popular in rural Owoo Sub-County, where residents are more involved in its production compared to their urban counterparts in Gulu City. The study concluded that positive experiences with green charcoal have facilitated its adoption and recommendsfurther actions to promote its use. These include increasing awareness of its environmental, health, and financial benefits, improving product quality, and involving women and girls as advocates to expand its utilization.Item Beyond Modern Science: Ryemo Gemo (Chasing Away Evil Spirits), Tradition and Faith during the COVID-19 Pandemic among the Acoli in Northern Uganda(EAST AFRICAN NATURE & SCIENCE ORGANIZATION, 2025-05-14) Alidri,Agatha; Okello,Simon; Ochen,Patrick; Tukupe, Ochan Demas; Aure, Onek RichardBackground: This was a historical study of the Ryemo Gemo tradition among the Acoli people of Northern Uganda, and its implications in the context of the COVID- 19 pandemic. It explored strategies indigenous people adopted for epidemic control and prevention anchored on their tradition and belief systems passed, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The study adopted the qualitative approach and ethno-historical design. It explored community meanings, beliefs, values, practices and lived experiences of Ryemo Gemo during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The study was conducted in Gulu City, and the districts of Gulu, Omoro, Lamwo, Kitgum and Agago, where the ritual of Ryemo Gemo was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data was collected using Key Informant interviews, one-on-one interviews and six Focused Group Discussions. A sample size of 63 participants based on the data saturation point, and their knowledge and experience of Ryemo Gemo, was selected using the snowball and networking approach. They included: Cultural leaders, elderly persons, spiritual mediums, and health workers. Findings:Gemo was a calamity brought by bad spirits. The spirits acted as an early warning system, foreseeing and informing the people through spirit mediums of a looming calamity. Whereas Gemo was a calamity sent by bad spirits, others argued that COVID-19 was not a Gemo as it was man-made. Ryemo Gemo fostered a sense of identity, unity, and shared values, principles and practices. It promoted cultural continuity and connection between the living and the dead. Conclusion: Ryemo Gemo reflects the Acoli spirituality, beliefs and collective approach to managing calamities, reinforcing community bonds and cultural continuity.Item Ruins and Memory of Lotuturu Hill in Lamwo District: Tracing Idi Amin’s Presence in Local Narratives and Landscapes in Northern Uganda(EANSO, 2026-02-24) Alidri Agatha; Okello Simon; Laker Angioleta KatyaThis research investigates the historical significance and contemporary memory of Lotuturu Hill in Lamwo District, Northern Uganda, by examining how its physical ruins and local oral narratives represent “past politics” and contribute to 21st-century nation-building. Historically utilised as a strategic British rest camp and later transformed by Idi Amin into a high-altitude “jungle paradise” for top-secret governance, the site is currently characterised by skeletal structures that embody a complex duality of colonial defence and post-colonial surveillance. Utilising historical accounts, digital archival and secondary data review as the methodology, the study aimed to bridge the gap between official history and local memory, including colonial legends of King George VI’s wartime hideout. Findings reveal a dual legacy: the "Birmingham of Uganda" hideout for the British Royal Family during World War II and a "jungle paradise" where Idi Amin convened top-secret meetings. The study concludes that while Lotuturu remains a powerful symbol of identity for the Acholi people, it is suffering from profound environmental decay and institutional neglect. Thus, the paper argues for the urgent documentation of these narratives and the rehabilitation of the site’s infrastructure to unlock its potential for cultural tourism and historical education, preventing the permanent erasure of this vital landscape from Uganda's national heritage.Item Unpacking the Concept “Green Charcoal,” A Cooking Fuel Innovation: The Gulu University Interdisciplinary Experience(EANSO, 2025-08-04) Alidri Agatha; Atube Francis; Okello Simon; Aoyo Christine; Ringitho Robert; Okello Collins; Okumu CharlesIntroduction: This paper reviews the concept of "Green Charcoal," drawing extensively on lessons learned from the UPCHAIN project implemented at Gulu University. Methodology: Based on research conducted by Work Package Two of the UPCHAIN project, complemented by a comprehensive literature review, this study examines the definitional ambiguities, practical challenges, and socio-environmental considerations inherent in developing sustainable charcoal alternatives within the unique context of Northern Uganda. Key results: The study defines Green charcoal as a clean, eco-friendly solid biofuel produced through the carbonisation or densification of biodegradable, carbon-rich organic waste materials such as agricultural residues, forestry by-products, and household waste using efficient, often mechanised, briquetting technologies. Historically, firewood and traditional charcoal have been the primary cooking fuels in the region, valued for their affordability and accessibility. Green charcoal is now emerging as a promising, sustainable alternative, marking a potential shift in the energy landscape. Households across both rural and urban settings commonly employ a combination of cooking fuels. There are vast definitions for green charcoal, coupled with acceptances and rejections. Conclusion: Most households in the region still depend on firewood and traditional charcoal because they are affordable and easy to get. Challenges in access and distribution, coupled with fierce competition from the informal traditional charcoal sector, complicate the widespread acceptance of green charcoal. Green charcoal has been embraced because of its environmental benefits (less deforestation), health advantages (less smoke), economic potential, and the availability of local raw materials. However, it's often rejected due to higher initial costs, being harder to light, producing more ash, not fitting traditional cooking methods, and inconsistent quality. Recommendations: Addressing affordability and accessibility gaps, integrate green charcoal with existing cultural norms and practices, integrating green charcoal with existing cultural norms and practices, and enhancing perceived value and usability.Item Adolescent and Youth Reproductive Health Treatment-Seeking Behaviour in the Post COVID-19 Pandemic in Gulu City, Northern Uganda(EANSO, 2025-11-21) Alidri Agatha; Uramba Kayen Emily; Anicia Filda; Apio Winnie; Ochen Patrick; Kabwijamu Patrick; Okello Simon; Giramiya Esther; Musaasizi Richard; Tumanye Samson; Awor Susan; Nyamungu ProscoviaIntroduction: The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown from March 2020 to 2022 had massive effects on adolescent and youth reproductive health treatment-seeking behaviour in Acholi Sub-Region in Northern Uganda. Sexual Reproductive Health and STIs-related treatment-seeking was examined among adolescents and youth attending a public Sexual Reproductive Health clinic in Gulu Regional Referral Hospital and Reproductive Health-Uganda facility in Gulu City. Methodology: Using a qualitative approach, the study explored adolescent and youth knowledge, practice, and perspective on reproductive health treatment seeking, and why they make the choices they make. It delves into non-statistical data like texts, interviews, observations, and images to uncover rich insights, perceptions, meanings, and patterns in the SRH of young persons. Findings: Treatment-seeking was perceived as the action of searching for help for SRH problems from informal or formal sources. More women than men sought care in the government sector. Similarly, more women than men went to the informal health sector, mostly to traditional healers. Young persons confided in their peers and shunned seeking treatment from government hospitals due to stigma. Conclusion: The response of young people to STI infections and treatment-seeking behaviour was never predictable. Social cultural stereotypes, misinformation, and lack of access to information on SRH and STIs continue to exist. Most adolescents and youth continue to seek self medication. Recommendations: The study recommends strengthening community-based services, integration of technology to provide confidential information and remote consultations, developing crisis-reproductive health systems, and a more targeted public education campaign.