The last 50 years since Independence Uganda has witnessed the reign of a succession of tyrannical rulers and conflicts affected and caused by events in neighbouring countries in The Great Lakes region. In addition, conflict surrounding resources and influence from international actors has exacerbated the divides between different national, religious and ethnic groups.

Idi Amin was one of Uganda’s most notorious rulers, expelling the Indian population and being held accountable for up to 800,000 deaths. Currently, the Lord’s Resistance Army and other militia groups continue to cause terror in unstable areas in Uganda, which has led to the displacement of 1.6 million people. The LRA have been accused of the abduction of around 30,000 children, many of whom are forced into becoming child soldiers. A working peace agreement still remains elusive in Uganda, and its peace process has an important role to play in the realisation of peace and security in the region.