Reparations for Victims of Gross human rights violations in Uganda

Since independence Uganda has experienced different episodes of violent conflict and human rights abuses across successive political regimes. The most protracted and brutal of these conflicts was the two decade conflict in the northern Uganda between the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and the government forces, during which gross human rights violations and serious violations of international humanitarian law were perpetrated against individuals, families, and communities.

Mental States of Adolescents exposed to War in Uganda

The article (15 p) describes the rehabilitation of formerly abducted adolescents exposed to war in Uganda, and tries to point out appropriate methods.

Former girl child soldiers face hardships with reintegration in Uganda

Approaching the topic under a gender view, the article based on an interview with a former girl soldier concludes that reintegration after armed conflicts is more difficult for girls. Beatrice Lamwaka.

Masculinity and Experiences of Sexual Violence: Case study of Male Congolese Refugees in Kampala Uganda

Uganda, like any other country, receives refugees yearly from its neighbors. Among the issues reported occasionally are incidences related to sexual violence. These issues are generally ignored without taking into consideration the different aspects of sustainable development.

Listen and Speak out against Sexual Abuse of Girls and Boys

Global Submission by the International Save the Children Alliance UN Study on Violence against Children

The present study evaluates Save the Children’s experiences with work against child sexual abuse and exploitation around the world. We focus on the essence of our programme experiences, our insights and the ‘main jewels’ of our learning in the form of 10 essential learning points. We have investigated if and how our work has been in the best interest of children and whether it contributed to their development. How do we perceive the challenges and strategies that have been successful? The examination led to the formulation of the learning points, which may serve as a guide for establishing good practice and policies.

Thirteen country programmes within Save the Children – Canada, Colombia, Brazil, Nicaragua, South Africa, Mozambique, Rwanda, Uganda, Syria, Nepal, Bangladesh, Romania and Spain – have been involved in the present examination, drawing on their own and partners’ experiences as well as the experiences of governments and civil society in general in combating child sexual abuse within a number of cultural, socio-economic, political and religious contexts. Good practice from other Save the Children members, academic and other sources has also been included. We have emphasised that the learning reflects what boys and girls of different ages themselves feel, think, reflect and experience around sexual abuse.Turid

Supporting the mental health and wellbeing of refugees: The Lancet Global Health podcast

The Lancet Global Health‘s Nina Putnis speaks to Wietse Tol about his research on reducing psychological distress in female South Sudanese refugees, and the implications of this research for refugees and displaced people worldwide. Listen to the podcast below:

 

 

The rape of men: the darkest secret of war

Sexual violence is one of the most horrific weapons of war, an instrument of terror used against women. Yet huge numbers of men are also victims. In this harrowing report, Will Storr travels to Uganda to meet traumatised survivors, and reveals how male rape is endemic in many of the world’s conflicts. Of all the secrets of war, there is one that is so well kept that it exists mostly as a rumour. It is usually denied by the perpetrator and his victim. Governments, aid agencies and human rights defenders at the UN barely acknowledge its possibility.

Access to Justice for Male Victims of Sexual Violence; Focus on Refugees in Uganda

Sexual violence against men has garnered increasing publicity in recent years but still remains extremely under-researched and under-reported. This paper will examine the challenges facing male victims of sexual violence. The paper will look at the broad international framework, including definitions of sexual violence and international jurisprudence in the area as well as generally looking at how the term sexual or gender-based violence has come to be associated with violence against women (the article can be found on page 7).

Male rape victims in the Lords resistance army war and the conflict in Eastern Congo

Sexual violence against men in Uganda is an underreported crime. Sexual violence against men is considered a taboo in most cultures. It is an issue not talked about because many consider the rape of men nearly impossible. It is clear that men have also been victims of rape in armed conflicts all over the world. The laws that define rape should be revised to include men and boys as victims of rape.

Lightening the Load of the Parental Death Penalty on Children

One of the little-asked questions in debates over the death penalty is what happens to the children of the offender. The arrest, sentencing and (potential)execution of a parent affect children greatly, but they receive little consideration and less support.

Mental health consequences of war: a brief review of research findings

In humanitarian emergencies and conflict situations psychological damage has traditionally not been addressed, its extent and impact have not been well studied. It is only through a greater focus of mental health problems as a result of war and conflict, can coherent and effective strategies for dealing with such problems be developed.

Study of community-based child protection mechanisms in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo

By mapping existing community-based protection initiatives, structures and approaches, the study intended to identify effective and sustainable community-based mechanisms and offer recommendations in order to help support the development of its community-based child protection strategy in Uganda and in the DRC.

Posttraumatic resilience in former Ugandan child soldiers

Child development. The present research examines posttraumatic resilience in extremely exposed children and adolescents based on interviews with 330 former Ugandan child soldiers. Despite severe trauma exposure, 27.6% showed posttraumatic resilience as indicated by the absence of posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and clinically significant behavioral and emotional problems. Among these former child soldiers, posttraumatic resilience was associated with lower exposure to domestic violence, lower guilt cognitions, less motivation to seek revenge, better socioeconomic situation in the family, and more perceived spiritual support. Among the youth with significant psychopathology, many of them had symptoms extending beyond the criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder, in keeping with the emerging concept of developmental trauma disorder.

Torture in Uganda A Baseline Study on the Situation of Torture Survivors in Uganda

The objective of this Baseline Study on Torture in Uganda is to obtain a clear understanding of the situation of victims of torture and conflict in the country and to assess the key issues pertinent to improving access to justice and adequate and effective forms of reparation. The Baseline Study is intended to serve as the foundation for further work in support of torture survivors in the country, and is intended to be of benefit not only to REDRESS and ACTV, but other civil society groups, government agencies and others working towards these goals in Uganda.

Stakeholder perceptions of mental health stigma and poverty in Uganda

According to a range of mental health stakeholders in Uganda, there is a strong interrelationship between poverty, stigma and mental illness. These findings re-affirm the need to recognize material resources as a central element in the fight against stigma of mental illness, and the importance of stigma reduction programmes in protecting the mentally ill from social isolation, particularly in conditions of poverty.

Traumatic events and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder amongst Sudanese nationals, refugees and Ugandans in the West Nile

Symptoms of PTSD in war-affected Sudanese populations can be partly explained by traumatic event exposures. The high prevalence of violence and symptoms of PTSD in refugee populations highlight the need for better protection and security in refugee settlements. Humanitarian agencies must consider the provision of mental health services for populations affected by war and forced migration.

The mental health disaster in conflict settings: Can scientific research help?

What gains have been made in the fight against traumatic disorders and other mental health problems in conflict areas? What do we know about the impact on individual, family and community functioning? Given what we know about the effects of trauma, it is likely that we will also see a rise in substance abuse and suicidality, violence, and a worsening of physical health.

Mental health and conflict

This note discusses the relevance and design of mental health care interventions in post-conflict situations. Mental health disorders and psychosocial problems arising from conflict need to be addressed as part of post-conflict reconstruction and reconciliation efforts. The note presents a conceptual framework for mental health interventions in post-conflict settings and illustrations from West Bank-Gaza, Bosnia, Burundi and Uganda (4 pages, .pdf, for historical reference).

Returning home: forced conscription, reintegration, and mental health status of former abductees of the Lord’s Resistance Army in Northern Uganda

Abduction and forced conscription of civilians has affected the psychological well-being of a significant number of northern Ugandans. The sources of psychological trauma are multiple, ranging from witnessing to being forced to commit violent acts, and compounded by prolonged exposure to violence, often for months or years. Community-based mental health care services and reintegration programs are needed to facilitate the reintegration of former abductees back into their communities .

The mental health of children affected by armed conflict: Protective processes and pathways to resilience

This paper examines the concept of resilience in the context of children affected by armed conflict. Resilience has been frequently viewed as a unique quality of certain invulnerable children. In contrast, this paper argues that a number of protective processes contribute to resilient mental health outcomes in children when considered through the lens of the child’s social ecology.

From war to classroom: PTSD and depression in formerly abducted youth in Uganda

Mental-health intervention strategies with a focus on trauma-related symptoms including those of PTSD, depression, and suicidal ideation are needed to assist survivors in reducing their burden of mental suffering and to improve their performance in school. Impaired functioning was very frequently related to having experienced these stressors; therefore ways on how to cope with ongoing stress also appear to be essential in psychosocial programing. As long as the mental suffering of youth in post-war contexts and equally their human right to treatment and care are not fully acknowledged by the world community, attempts to enhance support structures will remain limited.

African Centre for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (ACTV)

The mission of ACTV is to increase the general quality and quantity of treatment offered to traumatised victims of institutionalised torture and to enhance the democratisation process by increased awareness of basic human rights.

Torture against children in rebel captivity in Northern Uganda: physical and psychological effects and implications for clinical practice

TORTURE Volume 19, Number 2,
Although torture in adults is well documented, studies that document its use against children, especially during war, are rare. This study documented the use of torture against children and its physical and psychological consequences during the war in Northern Uganda.