United Nations
Development Programme

Plot 15B Clement Hill Road

P.O Box 7184

Kampala, Uganda

Tel: (256) 414-233440/1/2/5

Fax: (256) 414-344801

Email: registry.ug@undp.org

Background

Uganda has a landmine/unexploded ordnance (UXO) contamination problem resulting from successive conflicts over the past three decades. The most affected areas are the border regions with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan, but there is also UXO contamination in the interior of the country – in Luwero district (also referred to as the 'Luwero Triangle'), the heart of the five-year protracted guerilla war from 1980-1985; the West Nile region, and the Rwenzori Mountains (Kasese, Bundibugyo and Kabarole districts).

The 20-year old Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency in Northern Uganda has led to the displacement of more than 2.5 million people in the districts of Gulu, Kitgum, Pader (Acholi sub-region), Lira, Apac (Lango sub-region), Soroti, Kaberamaido, Katakwi and Amuria (Teso sub-region). Prospects for peace are evident and displaced people have started returning home to restart their lives and livelihoods. However, many areas of IDP return in Northern Uganda are contaminated with landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW).

UNDP’s support to the Government of Uganda in this area is through the National Mine Action Programme (NMAP). Mine Action is critical in early recovery, safety and protection of the returning population.

Development objectives

The primary objective of Mine Action is to protect returning internally displaced persons and affected communities in Northern, North-Eastern and Western Uganda from the threat of landmines and ERW and to support the reintegration of landmine survivors into their communities through government programmes.

Specifically, the programme aims at: providing a secure environment in the most affected districts to ensure that the areas of return are mapped, marked and cleared of landmines and ERW; protecting IDP before and during return and resettlement through mine risk education; reintegrating and providing access to services for landmine survivors, including rehabilitation, advocacy, affirmative action for return and access to a sustainable livelihood; and building national residual capacity with the Uganda Mine Action Center, relevant government ministries and civil society.

Key activities and results/expected results

• National Mine Action Steering Committee established and commenced work
• National Mine Action legislation and Mine Action policy drafted
• newest IMSMA 4.0 version is installed, field tested for needs assessment and de-mining, user training conducted
• the Uganda Mine Action Center is operational, based at the OPM
• Victim Assistance has identified a way forward which is an integrated model and involves multiple ministries with landmine survivors themselves taking the lead
• Mine Risk Education to be initiated in early return areas

Implementation phase

Implementation is ongoing, including de-mining (land release) in northern Uganda, Mine Risk Education, victim assistance and advocacy.

• UNDP TRAC Resources: 415, 247
• UNDP BCPR: 52,827
• Ireland: 525,000
• Australia: 410,000
• Austria: 248,390
• Germany: 225,395
• Denmark: 212,037