The state of the war-wounded in northern Uganda: Data from 2013-2018 on their lives and access to healthcare

Abstract

Few large-scale, structured surveys have been conducted on the prevalence of alleged war crimes or crimes against humanity committed by warring parties against civilians. Fewer still investigate how experiences of alleged war crimes or crimes against humanity relate to victims’ disability and how these experiences affect food security, wealth and access to basic services, including their access to basic and therapeutic healthcare over time. Using data from a panel survey carried out in 2013, 2015 and 2018 that is representative of all of Acholi and Lango sub-regions in northern Uganda, this working paper reports the prevalence of alleged war crimes or crimes against humanity for individuals and households, their association with disability; and the resulting effects over time on people’s lives in terms of food security, wealth, access to basic services and healthcare. The study contributes to: an understanding of people who have experienced alleged war crimes or crimes against humanity that affect them physically and psychologically; the relationship between experience of these alleged crimes and their experience of disability; the effects of these crimes on their wealth, food security and access to livelihood and social protection services; the effects of these crimes on their access to basic and therapeutic healthcare; and a better understanding of the key obstacles faced by victims of these alleged crimes when they are unable to receive basic and therapeutic healthcare. This research is part of the Secure Livelihoods Research Consortium (SLRC) programme