Rights of children in conflict – An evaluation of Japanese official development assistance in Acholiland, northern Uganda

The Addis Ababa office of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) undertook an evaluation mission to Uganda from 4 to 21 November 2007. The mission was a component of research aimed at evaluating Japanese ODA project Protection and Promotion of Rights of Children Affected by Conflict in Acholiland and Acholi Sub-Region in Northern Uganda. This project was identified in line with Japan’s Framework on New Measures for Consolidation of Peace in Africa for the year 2007 and is currently coordinated by the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef). The project aimed at providing basic services to 200 000 returnees in the Acholiland region for the 12-month period February 2007 to January 2008. The affected persons had previously been displaced by the armed conflict; they had been living in camps for Internally Displaced Persons in urban centres for over two decades and were now moving back to their original homes/villages within the Acholi region