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VI. Government Response to Alleged Human Rights Violations

Allegations of human rights violations in Uganda similar to those documented here have been widely reported in the national and international media, and have been the subject of documentation by the Uganda office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), among others. In response to these reports and expression of concern about the human rights conditions in Karamoja, the Ugandan government has taken a number of measures. As touched on briefly in the Background section above, and explored in greater detail below, these steps have included developing a set of internal Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) guidelines governing the conduct of military personnel during cordon and search operations and launching four investigations into allegations of human rights violations in connection with cordon and search and other UPDF operations in Karamoja. The government has also announced that a number of soldiers have faced court martial or other disciplinary measures for abuses against civilians.

The most recent information received by Human Rights Watch indicates that cordon and search operations, while still ongoing, have been markedly less violent than in earlier months of the disarmament campaign and accompanied by far fewer allegations of human rights violations.297 Alleged human rights violations, most notably continued detention following cordon and search operations and isolated reports of beatings, however, have not ceased altogether.298 In its response to Human Rights Watch, the Ugandan army stated that a number of soldiers have been brought to justice for human rights violations, but provided no details of the underlying offenses and punishments received.299 In the three explicitly disarmament-related cases of which Human Rights Watch is aware, soldiers were disciplined for petty theft. Accordingly, although the government has taken steps in the right direction, more must be done to provide accountability for past violations and to prevent future abuses by UPDF personnel.

A. Cordon and Search Guidelines

Following initial reports of human rights violations in connection with disarmament operations, the UPDF commendably developed a set of guidelines and standard operating procedures to govern cordon and search operations. According to the draft report of the Karamoja investigation committee (see below), there were no such formalized guidelines at the outset of the disarmament campaign.300 The first guidelines were developed by the chief of defence forces in mid-August 2006.301  Apparently these were then expanded on and formally issued by the then-commander of the UPDF Third Division, stationed in Karamoja.302 Following clashes in Kotido and Kaabong districts at the end of October 2006 (discussed in Chapter V.A, above), the guidelines were revised by the commander of land forces, “[t]o insure that there are no loopholes in operations [and] [t]o insure that there are no more complaints.”303

The cordon and search “operational guidelines,” contained in a lengthier UPDF document outlining the background to cordon and search operations and standard operating procedures for commanders, include “treating [citizens] with courtesy,” involvement of local leaders, “use of proportionate fire power in case shot at,” and post-operation “cross-check[s] with local leaders to ascertain whether there was any misconduct or anything stolen by troops and declare such findings to the community.”304 The standard operating procedures provide in part that after a cordon is established, commanders should “[i]nform the occupants of the cordoned off area of your presence at daybreak and call for their cooperation to avoid injuries;” “Search Party enters and systematically search from house to house in presence of the owner to avoid accusations and claims of looting properties;” and “[s]eparate male occupants from females and children. These should be kept outside the cordoned area under strict guard.”305

According to the Ministry of Defence/UPDF spokesperson, each platoon commander has been provided with a pocket guide outlining these operational guidelines.306 As of March 2007, according to OHCHR, Third Division forces are being trained on the guidelines as part of joint OHCHR/Uganda Human Rights Commission human rights training.307 The Ministry of Defence has confirmed publicly that, as contained in the guidelines themselves, failure to observe the cordon and search guidelines subjects UPDF personnel to discipline under the UPDF Act.308

The introduction of these guidelines is a positive development, and Human Rights Watch acknowledges that allegations of human rights violations in connection with cordon and search operations have lessened with time. As the preceding sections demonstrate, however, Human Rights Watch has documented that in cordon and search operations in late 2006 and early 2007, which postdated the introduction and revision of the guidelines, UPDF personnel were allegedly responsible for unlawful killings, torture, and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment of the civilian population during cordon and search operations, and theft and destruction of property.

Moreover, the guidelines do not appear to provide for the detention of men following cordon and search operations. According to Human Rights Watch’s research, these detentions are commonplace, and, in cases documented by Human Rights Watch, again, including operations postdating the introduction and revision of guidelines, these detentions were allegedly accompanied by torture and other cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment.

Post-cordon and search detentions as carried out in the manner documented by Human Rights Watch’s research, including the description provided by the UPDF Third Division spokesperson (see Chapter III.D, above), are incompatible with international protections against arbitrary arrest and detention and lack a clear basis in Ugandan law. The absence of UPDF guidelines governing these detentions further deprives those subject to them of protection from arbitrary arrest and detention, and widens the risk of other serious human rights violations occurring in connection with detention. The Ugandan government should ensure that any arrests and detentions carried out in connection with cordon and search operations comply with international human rights standards prohibiting arbitrary arrest and detention, and revise national law accordingly. 

Finally, UPDF spokespersons told Human Rights Watch that, consistent with the guidelines, the UPDF conducts “post-cordon and search verification operations”—that is, post-operation consultation with local leaders of the area affected by the operation—to determine whether any human rights violations have taken place.309  The resident district commissioner for Nakapiripirit district also informed Human Rights Watch that his office meets with the army and local leaders from affected communities following cordon and search operations to determine whether there have been any problems.310

In February 2007, however, after the introduction and revision of cordon and search operational guidelines, Human Rights Watch interviewed two local councilors in Karamoja whose communities had been recently targeted by disarmament operations. One reported that he was not aware of any post-cordon and search consultations with local leaders.311 The other reported that sometimes the army does alert him to the fact that a cordon and search operation has just taken place, and he will go to the nearby detach to see those who have been detained, but “when I’m around there’s no beating. The beating starts after I leave.”312 And, as mentioned above (see Chapter V.D), this councilor’s attempts to intervene by issuing documentation of disarmament to prevent multiple detentions have been rebuffed by the UPDF.313

The post-cordon and search consultations provided for in the cordon and search guidelines are a key opportunity for human rights violations and other problems to be identified and addressed immediately, and to foster cooperation and dialogue between UPDF personnel and local communities. The UPDF should ensure that such consultations are carried out after every cordon and search operation; that allegations of human rights violations raised during consultations are investigated and prosecuted or disciplined as appropriate; and that the outcomes of such consultations and investigations are made publicly available.

B. Accountability for Human Rights Violations by UPDF Personnel

Human Rights Watch has received varying information from official sources about the extent of prosecutions for human rights violations by military personnel conducting disarmament or other law enforcement operations.  However, it does not appear that the Ugandan government has acted to provide meaningful accountability for human rights violations by its forces.

In September 2007 the Ministry of Defence/UPDF spokesperson informed Human Rights Watch that “violation of [cordon and search standard operating procedures] automatically attracts stern punishments on the offenders. For example between 2006 to date, 42 soldiers were prosecuted and convicted and 41 are on remand for various offences including human rights violations.”314 Although this statement reflects a substantial number of investigations and prosecutions, it obscures how many of these cases relate specifically to human rights violations, as opposed to for example corruption, and did not provide information on in which jurisdictions cases were heard, the nature of punishments, when the soldiers were actually prosecuted,  or the rank of soldiers involved.

Previously, the Third Division spokesperson had informed Human Rights Watch that as of March 2007 no UPDF soldiers had appeared before a court martial in connection with charges related to the disarmament campaign, but that there had been three disarmament-related cases involving petty thefts before the “unit disciplinary committee,” described as a magistrate-court equivalent to the court martial.315  

According to separate information provided by the minister of defence to OHCHR in Uganda, during the period November 16, 2006, to March 31, 2007, there was one conviction of a UPDF soldier before the Third Division court martial for torture; the soldier was sentenced to two years in prison. An additional seven soldiers were under investigation for assault, and six soldiers faced trial for aggravated assault, murder, defilement, or rape. Two more cases of murder and assault had been referred to the police and two cases of assault and unlawful wounding had been resolved administratively.316 It is not clear, however, whether any of these cases involved human rights abuses alleged in connection with disarmament operations.

Similarly, a Ministry of Defence document quoted in the national press in April 2007 in the context of alleged abuses committed during the disarmament campaign indicates that there are 18 soldiers under investigation or facing trial, but it is again not clear from the news article whether these cases are solely related to the disarmament campaign.317

OHCHR’s most recent report in September 2007 states that according to statistics provided by the Ministry of Defence, “10 soldiers are currently awaiting trial before the 3rd Division Court Martial for human rights violations in connection with disarmament operations in Karamoja between April and July 2007. In addition, seven soldiers are under investigation and two case files have been transferred to the police.”318 OHCHR’s report also records one case in April 2007 which disciplinary actions was taken against a soldier for caning a man during a disarmament operation; two cases in April and May 2007 in which soldiers were arrested or disciplined for theft of property during disarmament or law enforcement operations; and one case in June 2007 in which an officer was charged by the unit disciplinary committee with “failing to execute his duties” after two unarmed youths were killed during a disarmament operation under his command.319 In a further case of alleged torture committed by a UPDF soldier in March 2007, OHCHR notes that the soldier’s unit was ordered by the brigade commander to treat and feed the victim until his recovery, but no disciplinary action was taken against any perpetrator.320

The leadership of the Third Division, including the division commander, was rotated in January 2007, following widespread publicizing of human rights violations allegedly committed in connection with UPDF operations in Lopuyo village, Kotido district, at the end of October 2006. The significance of this rotation is hard to assess. While OHCHR called these personnel shifts “significant positive changes,” and noted “increased dialogue” as a result,321 according to the Ministry of Defence/UPDF spokesperson, these changes were not made in response to complaints about the conduct of the disarmament campaign, but were instead “routine.”322 The minister of defence characterized the rotation in the national media as removing “ineffective” field commanders.323

Even taking all these responses in sum, this remains an insufficient response to the number of human rights violations reported in Karamoja. The variation between different official sources gives rise to concern that ensuring accountability for rights violations remains unsystematic and piecemeal. While commending the Ugandan government and the UPDF for taking steps to curb and redress human rights violations by its forces, OHCHR’s September 2007 report expresses concern that a “systematic institutional response” to human rights violations by government forces remains lacking.324 Thus, notwithstanding the reported improvements in the conduct of cordon and search operations in recent months, the Ugandan government must acknowledge that human rights violations have taken place and act to bring its personnel to account and to deter future abuses.

C. Government Investigations

The results of four government investigations into allegations of human rights violations committed by its forces during disarmament and other operations in Karamoja have not been made public.

On June 27, 2006, in response to allegations of human rights violations in connection with specific cordon and search operations, including killings, detentions, beatings, rape, and the destruction of property, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) suspended its support for programming in Karamoja.325 Shortly thereafter, and in spite of initial denials by UPDF spokespersons of any abuses,326 the chief of defence forces, Gen. Aronda Nyakayirima, announced that a six-member commission would investigate the allegations of violations raised by members of parliament from the Karamoja region. The commission was to begin work immediately, and the results were to be made public. In the meantime, the general said, disarmament would continue.327

But some three weeks later, on July 31, a new probe was announced.328 This time, the prime minister, Prof. Apolo Nsibambi, appointed a committee (“Karamoja investigation committee”) to investigate specific reports of human rights abuses allegedly committed in connection with several different disarmament operations.329 The army probe announced in early July was apparently incorporated into this investigation.330 The new committee was comprised of 10 members drawn from the offices of the president and prime minister, military intelligence, the Uganda Police Force, the Uganda Human Rights Commission, one member of parliament from Karamoja (Pokot county), and one representative of civil society.331 The Karamoja investigation committee apparently concluded its work within a month,332 but its report was never publicly released.

However, a draft report was leaked to the national press in October 2006.333 An undated copy of a draft report obtained by Human Rights Watch confirms certain human rights abuses, including the theft of property by UPDF soldiers during cordon and search operations in Kotido and Moroto districts,334 arbitrary arrest and detention, including in one case of women and children, to secure surrender of guns by relatives without regard to whether the individual detained was personally suspected of gun ownership,335 and (without much supporting discussion) torture.336 The draft report quotes an admission by General Aronda that initial cordon and search operations were “‘free for all affairs’”; the general attributed some mistakes to the actions of LDU soldiers, rather than UPDF personnel.337

The Karamoja investigation committee indicated in the report that it was unable to verify specific allegations of castration338 and rape (but concluded that rape by the UPDF was not widespread),339 and found that although civilian deaths had occurred during cordon and search operations, these were associated with exchanges of fire between UPDF soldiers and the communities subject to disarmament.340

The draft report demonstrates that while the government was aware by the end of August 2006 that some allegations of human rights violations had been substantiated by its own internal investigation, the UPDF nonetheless continued to carry out cordon and search operations marked by some of the same human rights violations substantiated by the committee. As discussed in the preceding section, Human Rights Watch documented allegations of torture and other cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment during cordon and search operations particularly in the Lokopo and Nadunget subcounties of Moroto district in September 2006 and January 2007; arbitrary detention, accompanied by torture and ill-treatment, particularly in Kaabong district in September 2006 and in Moroto district in September 2006 and January 2007; and theft and destruction of property in operations in Kaabong and Moroto districts in September 2006, December 2006, and January 2007.

The draft report also demonstrates a lack of awareness about the implication of its findings, including failing to recommend further investigation and prosecution of UPDF personnel responsible for human rights violations. This may have contributed to continued violations.

Continued disarmament culminated in the clashes in Lopuyo parish, Kotido district, and the Morungole hills area, Kaabong district, at the end of October 2006. Although the UPDF announced a new investigation, this investigation focused on “reported mistakes during operations,”341 not allegations of human rights abuses. This report was not made public, but according to OHCHR, which reviewed a copy, the UPDF acknowledged only the deaths of seven civilians in crossfire and made no reference to OHCHR’s much more extensive findings of abuse in connection with its investigation, also discussed above. Not surprisingly then, the report did not recommend disciplinary action against UPDF personnel.342 It was separately reported however, that the Yankee battalion, an LDU unit drawn from Abim district, was dissolved following allegations of misconduct in connection with events in Lopuyo.343

Revelations about UPDF conduct in Lopuyo compelled some members of parliament as well as civil society groups within Karamoja to call on the government to suspend the forced disarmament campaign.344The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights echoed these concerns.345  

Although the disarmament campaign was not stopped, UPDF commanders and other government officials did respond by engaging in a series of meetings with Karamoja nongovernmental organizations and local leaders, as well as international partners. During a visit by a delegation of international development partners to Kotido district and Lopuyo in late November 2006, the state minister for Karamoja affairs offered an apology on behalf of the government to those “who lost their dear ones.”346 However, it was not reported whether he offered to provide reparations or other measures to assist the victims of government abuses or their families.

Also in late November 2006, as reported by OHCHR, the minister of defence and the state minister for Karamoja affairs made a number of commitments in a meeting with representatives of the international community, including to reorganize UPDF deployment in the region, reinforce military discipline within the UPDF, and implement the recommendations of the UPDF board of inquiry, including the possible referral of soldiers to prosecution by a court martial.347 It is not clear to what extent these commitments were implemented.

Cordon and search guidelines and standard operating procedures were revised following the clashes in Kotido and Kaabong districts in October 2006. The leadership of the Third Division, including the division commander, was rotated in January 2007, but, again as stated above, the significance of these changes is unclear. As reported in detail by OHCHR, however, public engagement of local communities and leaders by UPDF and central government leadership continued into 2007, including several meetings in the region about disarmament and other security issues and a new community mobilization drive over a 10-day period in February-March 2007.348

Although in April 2007 OHCHR, reporting on the period November 16, 2006, to March 31, 2007, noted little improvement in the human rights situation in Karamoja notwithstanding advocacy efforts in the aftermath of the Lopuyo incident in Kotido district in late October 2006,349 since that time the latest information obtained by Human Rights Watch indicates that cordon and search operations have been accompanied by less violence and far fewer allegations of human rights violations.350 This suggests that the government of Uganda and the leadership of the UPDF have taken positive steps in response to criticism and lobbying by the international community and local civil society. 

There are disturbing signs, however, that impunity for human rights violators will persist, and consequently, so too will the risk of future violations. The UPDF announced a fourth investigation in response to the allegations about its conduct in Kotido district in February 2007.351 Although the final report was still pending at the time of writing, an independent human rights expert who participated in the government’s investigation has refused to sign on to the official report, citing the investigation’s lack of independence.352 Meanwhile, a Ministry of Defence list of statistics for the Karamoja disarmament for the period November 2006 to March 2007 posted in response to OHCHR’s report on this same period includes categories such as “civilians killed by warriors” (86) and “soldiers killed by warriors” (24), but contains no category for “civilians killed by soldiers.”353




297 Confidential communications with Human Rights Watch, June 29, July 1-2, 2007. 

298 Ibid. On August 7, 2007, UPDF soldiers are alleged to have shot dead a civilian during a cordon and search operation in Karita subcounty in Nakapiripirit district. The area member of parliament has insisted that the man was unarmed and that the village did not attempt to resist the disarmament. He also reported that 15 men were detained by the military following the operation in the UPDF detach at the subcounty headquarters in Karita; their families were permitted to bring them milk the day after their detention. Human Rights Watch telephone interview with Francis Kiyonga, member of parliament, Pokot county, August 9, 2007. The Third Division spokesperson claimed in the national media that the man shot dead by UPDF soldiers had fired on them. Yasiin Mugerwa, “Disarmament: 3000 K’jong flee to Kenya,” Monitor (Kampala), August 13, 2007.

299 Response from Ministry of Defence/UPDF spokesperson’s office to Human Rights Watch letter of July 23, 2007, received on September 4, 2007 (see Annex III).

300 Karamoja investigation committee draft report, p. 34.

301 Ibid.

302 See Circular from Col. Gavas Mugyenyi, Psc, commander, UPDF 3rd Infantry Division, dated August 23, 2006, referenced: UPDF/3DIV/A46-RESTRICTED, excerpted in Office of the Prime Minister, “KIDDP,” p. 44.

303 Human Rights Watch telephone interview with Maj. Felix Kulayigye, December 18, 2006.

304 UPDF, “Cordon & Search Operations Guidelines,” undated, on file with Human Rights Watch, pp. 4-5. These guidelines are reproduced in part in Annex I.

305 Ibid., pp. 5-6.

306 Human Rights Watch interview with Maj. Felix Kulayigye, February 15, 2007. 

307 UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, “Update report,” p. 16.

308 “UPDF cannot torture Karamojong pastoralists,” Republic of Uganda Ministry of Defence news article.

309 Human Rights Watch interview with Maj. Felix Kulayigye, February 15, 2007, and telephone interviews with Lt. Henry Obbo, February 15 and March 12-13, 2007.

310 Human Rights Watch telephone interview with Michael Walatum, resident district commissioner, Nakapiripirit district, August 9, 2007.

311 Human Rights Watch telephone interview with local councilor (name and location withheld), February 15, 2007.

312 Human Rights Watch telephone interview with local councilor (name and location withheld), February 21, 2007.

313 Ibid.

314 Response from Ministry of Defence/UPDF spokesperson’s office to Human Rights Watch letter of July 23, 2007, received on September 4, 2007 (see Annex III).

315 Human Rights Watch telephone interviews with Lt. Henry Obbo, March 12-13, 2007.

316 UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, “Update report,” p. 13.

317 “Security situation in Karamoja improves,” New Vision (Kampala), April 10, 2007, http://allafrica.com/stories/200704091415.html(accessed May 14, 2007).

318 UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, “Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the situation of human rights in Uganda: Update report on the situation of human rights in Karamoja, from 1 April to 12 August 2007,” September 3, 2007, http://www.ohchr.org/english/docs/Ugandareportfinal.pdf (accessed September 3, 2007), p. 25.

319  Ibid., pp, 25-26.

320 Ibid.

321 UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, “Update report,” pp. 7, 16.

322 Human Rights Watch interview with Maj. Felix Kulayigye, February 15, 2007. 

323 “Security situation in Karamoja improves,” New Vision.

324 UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, “Update report from 1 April to 12 August 2007,” p. 5.

325 Email communication from William Orme, chief, external communications, United Nations Development Programme, to Matthew Lee, Inner City Press, June 27, 2006, quoted in Matthew Russell Lee, “Disarmament Abuse in Uganda Leads UN Agency to Suspend Its Work and Spending,” Inner City Press, June 27, 2006, http://www.innercitypress.com/unhq062706.html (accessed May 13, 2007).

326 Anne Mugisa, “UNDP suspends Karamoja projects,” New Vision (Kampala), June 28, 2006, http://www.newvision.co.ug/PA/8/13/506557 (accessed May 11, 2007).

327Richard Egadu, “Aronda orders probe in UPDF rights abuse,” Monitor (Kampala), July 6, 2006.

328 Kabona Esiara and Phoebe Mutetsi, “Govt to investigate human rights abuse in Karamoja region,” Monitor (Kampala), July 31, 2006.

329 Ibid.; Karamoja investigation committee draft report, p. 10 (terms of reference).

330 Karamoja investigation committee draft report, p. 16 (stating that the UPDF “team was recalled to join the bigger team that has written this report”).

331 Ibid., p. 9.

332Rodney Muhumuza, “Govt Report Pins UPDF On Raping Karimojong,” Monitor (Kampala), October 22, 2006, http://allafrica.com/stories/printable/200610290107.html (accessed November 21, 2006) (stating draft report dated August 31, 2006). According to the report, the committee reviewed existing media, UHRC, UPDF, and civil society reports on the disarmament, as well as the submission of one member of parliament, and conducted interviews with “victims, witnesses, security officials (UPDF, UPF, ISO, and Prisons Service), some elders and sampled local leaders,” as well as “civil society organizations, district officials, political leaders, parliamentarians from the region and several development partners.” Karamoja investigation committee draft report, pp. 10, 15-16.

333 Rodney Muhumuza, “Govt Report Pins UPDF On Raping Karimojong,” Monitor.

334 Karamoja investigation committee draft report, pp. 25-27.

335 Ibid., pp. 28-30. Importantly, the UPDF apparently confirmed to the committee that it did arrest and detain individuals suspected of gun ownership as a means to force the surrender of weapons. UPDF spokespersons interviewed by Human Rights Watch disagreed on this point of policy, with only one confirming that post-cordon and search detentions occur as a matter of policy. The committee did not appear to evaluate whether even the arrest and detention of those identified as gun owners through intelligence gathering in military facilities may also be arbitrary.  

336 Ibid., p. 31.

337 Ibid., p. 34.

338 Ibid., p. 32.

339 Ibid., pp. 17-21.

340 Ibid., p. 30-31. In the case of a specific operation in Losilang parish, Kotido district on May 19, 2006, following which UPDF soldiers and members of the community engaged in several hours of fighting, the committee concluded that while numerous huts and granaries were burned down, there was “no clear evidence that soldiers deliberately set the houses on fire…. It is reasonable to believe that the fire was a result of the fighting.” Ibid., p. 23. UHRC reported that 204 huts and 192 granaries were burned, while the LCIII chair put the number at 499 houses and 466 granaries, according to the investigation committee report. Ibid. The committee made no specific conclusions regarding the allegations cited in the report that five civilians, including at least one young girl, were also killed in Losilang parish, but it did conclude as a general matter that the fighting was initiated by members of neighboring villages who fired on the soldiers from outside the cordon. Ibid. pp. 22-25. The committee blamed “operational mistakes,” that is, the failure of the UPDF soldiers to effectively control the cordon, for the violence at Losilang. Ibid. 24-25.

341 “Army to probe human rights abuses in northeast,” IRIN, December 1, 2006, http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/IRIN/f5c9319caa1afaae5fe5fb31e88a7d52.htm (accessed July 18, 2007) (quoting Dr. Crispus Kiyonga, minister of defence). The Ministry of Defence/UPDF spokesperson informed Human Rights Watch that the investigation, which had been concluded within a matter of weeks, was directed at determining “why we lost so many people in what was a peaceful operation.” Human Rights Watch telephone interview with Maj. Felix Kulayigye, December 18, 2006.

342 UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, “Update report,” pp. 12-13.

343 Emmy Allio, “K’jong a threat, says Nankabiwa,” New Vision (Kampala), November 9, 2006, http://allafrica.com/stories/200704091415.html (accessed June 14, 2007).

344 Mariam Nalunkuuma, “Karamoja MPs want disarmament halted,” New Vision (Kampala), November 10, 2006, http://allafrica.com/stories/200611100305.html(accessed May 14, 2007).

345 “High Commissioner Expresses Serious Concern Over Escalating Violence against Civilians in Northeastern Uganda,” UN Press Release, November 23, 2006.

346 Nathan Entengu, “Minister apologises for Karamoja killings,” Sunday Vision (Kampala), November 25, 2006, http://www.sundayvision.co.ug/detail.php?newsCategoryId=123&newsId=534297 (accessed December 4, 2006).

347 UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, “Update report,” pp. 6-7.

348 Ibid., pp. 13-15.

349 Ibid., p. 16.

350 Confidential communications with Human Rights Watch, June 29, July 1-2, 2007.

351 “Response to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Report,” Republic of Uganda Ministry of Defence news article. The investigation was convened specifically in response to allegations by the nongovernmental organization Save the Children in Uganda that 66 children had been killed during a February 12 cordon and search operation in Lokitelaebu parish, Kotido subcounty,  Kotido district. This appears to be the same operation that was the subject of OHCHR’s investigation. 

352 Niels Jacob Harbitz, “Statement explaining why I am not signing the report ‘Independent Verification of the Save the Children Uganda (SCiU) Report  about the 12th February 2007 incident in Kotido District, Karamoja’ submitted today to the Office of the Prime Minister,” June 21, 2007, http://www.humanrightshouse.org/assets/1000Karamoja%20statement%20Harbitz.htm (accessed July 11, 2007). Harbitz’s own preliminary report on the February 2007 Kotido incident is available at http://www.humanrightshouse.org/assets/1000Karamoja%20Report1.pdf (accessedJuly 11, 2007).

353 “Response to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Report,” Republic of Uganda Ministry of Defence news article.