When communities resist relocation: rethinking strategies for protecting the displaced residents of Bududa in Uganda
Monday, 26 July 2021
by David Onen Ongwech
Navigating the question of protection for internally displaced persons (IDPs) require significant attention to their concerns in developing sustainable solutions. In certain instances, relocation may be resisted. Such resistance may be symptomatic of certain issues that need to be addressed. With a specific focus on the Bududa residents in the Mt. Elgon region of Uganda, this Policy Brief written by Onen David Ongwech examines the issue of resistance to relocation and advocates for rethinking protection strategies.
Anthropology of DevelopmentCentre for Migration and Diaspora StudiesDaily MonitorDr Chris DolanForced Migration StudiesHeleen TouquetJustice Rapid ResponseKim Thuy-SeelingerLaurel FletcherNTV UgandaOnen David OngwechRefugee Law ProjectSOAS Refugee ForumSOAS University of LondonThe New VisionUN WomenUNHCR
- Published in Forced Migration Podcasts, Human Rights
No Comments
“Our Parents Do Not Know” Homeschooling fatigue among refugee children during COVID-19.
Thursday, 07 January 2021
by David Onen Ongwech
In case you missed the 2020 National Virtual Learning Event on Child Protection, and/or the presentation made during the event by Mr. Onen David Ongwech (RLP’s Programme Manager Gender & Sexuality), we are pleased to share a copy of the presentation titled; “Our Parents Do Not Know” Homeschooling fatigue among refugee children during COVID-19 induced lockdown”.
The 2020 National Virtual Learning Event on Child Wellbeing took place from 25 – 26 Nov 2020 and was co-hosted by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and the National Child Protection Working Group (NCPWG) guided by the theme “Child wellbeing during and Post COVID-19 Context in Uganda”.
ActivismCentre for Migration and Diaspora StudiesChild ProtectionChild SafeguardingChildren WellbeingConflict-related sexual violenceDaily MonitorDr Chris DolanForced Migration StudiesGilbert NuwagiraHeleen TouquetJerker EdstromJustice Rapid ResponseKim Thuy-SeelingerOnen David OngwechRefugee Law ProjectSOAS Refugee ForumSOAS University of LondonThe New VisionUN WomenUNHCR
- Published in Human Rights, Refugee Debate
2020 National Virtual Learning Event on Child Wellbeing
Wednesday, 25 November 2020
by David Onen Ongwech
The 2020 National Virtual Learning Event on Child Wellbeing starts today 25 – 26 Nov 2020. The event is co-hosted by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and the National Child Protection Working Group (NCPWG) guided by the theme “Child wellbeing during and Post COVID-19 Context in Uganda”. I’m glad my abstract titled “Our Parents Do Not Know” Homeschooling fatigue among refugee children during COVID-19 induced lockdown was accepted.
2020 National Virtual Learning Event on Child WellbeingActivismAnthropology of DevelopmentCentre for Migration and Diaspora StudiesConflict-related sexual violenceDaily MonitorDr Chris DolanForced Migration StudiesJustice Rapid ResponseKim Thuy-SeelingerMinistry of Gender Labour and Social DevelopmentOffice of the Prime Minister-UgandaOnen David OngwechRefugee Law ProjectSOAS Refugee ForumSOAS University of LondonThe New VisionUN WomenUNHCR
- Published in Human Rights, Refugee Debate
Peacekeepers as allies in tackling sexual violence in conflict
Tuesday, 03 November 2020
by David Onen Ongwech
When peacekeepers are equipped to understand, respond to and prevent some of the dynamics that can destabilise an often fragile peace, then their value is greatly enhanced in post-conflict situations. This is particularly the case if they are able to engage pro-actively on issues of conflict-related sexual violence and its ‘post-conflict’ manifestations in the form of sexual exploitation and abuse. The report offers testimony to the value of such training endeavours, as well as to the importance of the International Protocol as a guiding document around which to organise both the content and the process.
Activismannie buntingAnthropology of DevelopmentBrandon HamberCentre for Migration and Diaspora StudiesConflict-related sexual violenceCSiWDaily MonitorDavid LisakDr Chris DolanErin BainesErin GallagherForced MigrationForced Migration StudiesGilbert NuwagiraHeleen TouquetJerker EdstromJustice Rapid ResponseKen ClearwaterKim Thuy-SeelingerLaurel FletcherNew VisionNTV UgandaOffice of the Prime Minister-UgandaOnen David OngwechRefugee ForumRefugee Law ProjectRefugeesRefugees in UgandaSOAS University of LondonThe New VisionUN WomenUNHCR
- Published in Human Rights, Sexual Violence Debate
“Hard and Unbearable”: COVID-19 Induced Challenges as told by Refugee and Host Support Group Leaders
Thursday, 06 August 2020
by David Onen Ongwech
Since the first case of COVID-19 was detected in Uganda, lives have and continue to change dramatically. With several measures and televised Presidential directives, the #StayHome mantra continues to impact lives in various ways. Refugees and host communities have not been spared – if any, the pandemic has worsened the already biting challenges and vulnerabilities.
With some vulnerable communities in ‘hard-to-reach’ places at the receiving end of the directives and its associated enforcement and curfew, many of the things happening in and around refugee-hosting areas haven’t made it to the media. Many refugees and hosts are mired in inadequately documented challenges.
While communities have not resigned themselves to the hurdles at hand and are adopting numerous creative coping mechanisms, the ways in which such resilience and positive coping mechanisms can be supported and replicated elsewhere by government, civil society, and international actors requires further exploration.
Activismannie buntingAnthropology of DevelopmentBrandon HamberCentre for Migration and Diaspora StudiesConflict-related sexual violenceDaily MonitorDr Chris DolanForced Migration StudiesHeleen TouquetJerker EdstromJustice Rapid ResponseKen ClearwaterNBS TVNTV UgandaOffice of the Prime Minister-UgandaOnen David OngwechRefugee ForumRefugee Law ProjectSOAS Refugee ForumSOAS University of LondonThe New VisionUNHCR
- Published in Refugee Debate
When should you ‘Call It What It Is’? Enabling disclosure of sexual violence by Chris Dolan and Onen David
Saturday, 15 February 2020
by David Onen Ongwech
The international criminal law (ICL) system can only hear and describe a tiny fraction of what people experience, particularly when it comes to sexual violence. The ICL system not only makes it difficult for victims to disclose their experiences, but often misplaces, deprioritises and erases the sexual elements of violence under other headings such as ‘torture’ and ‘inhumane treatment’. This is what inspired ‘Call It What It Is’, a campaign designed to enable victims to freely testify in a system where sexual violence is better articulated.
- Published in Sexual Violence Debate
The High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement should focus on addressing the causes of long-term displacements
Sunday, 15 December 2019
by David Onen Ongwech
On 23 October 2019, the UN Secretary-General announced the establishment of a High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement in an event organised to mark the 10-anniversary of the adoption of the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Africa a.k.a Kampala Convention. Herein, I argue that the yet to be composed panel should look deeply into the vulnerabilities of refugees and focus on addressing the root causes of internal displacements.
Activismannie buntingAnthropology of DevelopmentAsylum SeekersBrandon HamberCentre for Migration and Diaspora StudiesDaily MonitorDr Chris DolanForced Migration StudiesGilbert NuwagiraHeleen TouquetHigh-Level Panel on Internal DisplacementJerker EdstromJulia PurcellJustice Rapid ResponseKen ClearwaterKim Thuy-SeelingerLaurel FletcherOffice of the Prime Minister-UgandaOnen David OngwechRefugee Law ProjectSOAS Refugee ForumSOAS University of LondonThe New VisionUN WomenUNHCRWilton ParkWilton Park Conference
- Published in Forced Migration Podcasts
Uganda’s Commitment to Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Requires ‘Whole-of-Society’ Approach of Intervention
Saturday, 07 December 2019
by David Onen Ongwech
The Kingdom of the Netherlands recently (7-8 October 2019) demonstrated its commitment to improving Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) for millions of people affected by conflicts and forced displacements through the first International Conference on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Crisis held in Amsterdam. I bring to you the (audio-recorded) speech of Dr. Olaro Charles, Director of Clinical Services at the Ministry of Health who represented the Government of the Republic of Uganda at the conference.
ActivismAnthropology of DevelopmentBrandon HamberCentre for Migration and Diaspora StudiesConflict-related sexual violenceDaily MonitorDr Chris DolanErin BainesForced MigrationForced Migration StudiesHeleen TouquetJerker EdstromJustice Rapid ResponseKen ClearwaterOkot Francis OyatOnen David OngwechSOAS Refugee ForumSOAS University of LondonThe New VisionUN WomenUNHCR
- Published in Forced Migration Podcasts
‘Unless documented and shared; it didn’t happen’: Upskilling ‘First Responders’ to do so
Monday, 02 December 2019
by David Onen Ongwech
Despite tremendous technological advancements, increase in number of ‘experts’ with spectacular insights on laws and policies to make this world a better place, international community still grapple with disturbing cases and statistics of human rights abuses including conflict-related sexual violence. Consequently, the need to empower national and international practitioners on documentation and investigation has suffused among humanitarian and development actors as one of the measures of tackling impunity and guaranteeing non-repetition of human rights abuses and violations.
Activismannie buntingAnthropology of DevelopmentAsylum SeekersBrandon HamberConflict-related sexual violenceDaily MonitorDr Chris DolanJustice Rapid ResponseKingdom of the NetherlandsOnen David OngwechProject Expedite JusticeRefugee Law ProjectRefugees in UgandaSOAS University of LondonThe New VisionUN WomenUNHCRWIGJ
- Published in Sexual Violence Debate
In support of the Civil Society Declaration on Sexual Violence
Friday, 18 October 2019
by David Onen Ongwech
After several years of work on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV), this declaration is a demonstration that through rigorous advocacy, we can collectively realise progressive transformation towards better support for survivors/victims and gender inclusivity. However, herculean hurdles lie ahead of the journeys toward realising contexts where all survivors can access and uptake services without discrimination, and where survivors/victims are not only beneficiaries of services but also active partners in response to and prevention of sexual violence.
Aime MoningaAlastair HiltonAlix Vuillemin GrendelAmbassador John Leonard MugerwaAnita Fabosannie buntingAnthropology of DevelopmentBaroness AnelayBrandon HamberCall It What It IsCentre for Migration and Diaspora StudiesConflict-related sexual violenceDorine LlantaErin BainesHeleen TouquetInstitute for Social StudiesJerker EdstromJustice Rapid ResponseKen ClearwaterKim Thuy-SeelingerLaurel FletcherMale Survivors of Sexual ViolenceMelinda ReedNBS TVNot Weapon of WarOffice of the Prime Minister-UgandaOnen David OngwechProf. Chris DolanRefugee ForumRefugee Law ProjectRefugees in UgandaSOAS Refugee ForumSOAS University of LondonThe New VisionUNHCRValeria BabaraWIGJWomen's Initiative for GWomen's Initiative for Gender Justice
- Published in Sexual Violence Debate
- 1
- 2