The Amuka Boys (or Rhino) 



Origins

The Amuka boys were a militia group established and armed by the government of Uganda in 2003, in the Lango region, to support the Uganda People’s Defence Forces' (UPDF) offensive against the LRA and beef up security through community policing. They have been very effective in enhancing security operations within the IDPs' camps were they are mainly deployed. As stated in a Refugee Law Project report : "The Amuka, or Rhino group was then mobilised in Lira, but to less effect. Many informants believed that the Rhinos had not been as successful as the Arrow Group because of fewer supplies and weaker support. As one ex-Rhino female recruit said, 'The Amuka boys are very few, and many who had volunteered are leaving because they don't have guns, and you can’t fight rebels with stones.' Although the Arrow group has made similar complaints, there was a clear perception that the Arrows had been more effective in resisting the LRA. In addition, there was concern within Lira, that mobilising local defence would increase civilian killing (…)”

Location / Main area of operation

Lango Region


Objectives

The Amuka were mobilised as a local militia to help the UPDF offensive against the LRA. They were meant to carry out light operation missions alongside the UPDF and help in protecting the IDP's camps.

 

Number of Members


According to different sources, the UPDF raised 8,000 men and women to create the Amuka Boys.

Type : National

The Amuka boys are a pro'-state militia operating within the Lira District and receive support from government of Uganda in all aspects.

Conflict Status : Active

The Amuka Boys were reportedly demobilized in early 2006; some members were absorbed into the UPDF.
After their demobilization, some Amuka boys have been suspected for murders. According to the Institute of War and Peace Reporting, “former members of pro-government militias are being blamed for a series of brutal murders in northern Uganda, which has spread fear and terror among the region’s long-suffering residents(…)The state minister for disaster preparedness, Musa Ecweru said most of the killings are the work of former pro-government paramilitaries." He noted that former soldiers of the recently demobilised Amuka, or “Rhino” militia of northern Uganda, and the Arrow Boys militia of eastern Uganda, are using their weapons to commit crimes. After their demobilisation, some of the Amuka and Arrow Boys were recruited into the Ugandan army or given additional training and deployed in the police force. Many others were given reintegration packages to help them return to civilian life, but Ecweru said they have not adapted to their new circumstances.“They are now using illegal arms in their possession to kill and loot others,” he said.”
 

Structure of the organization

The Amuka Boys, like the other militias mobilised against the LRA, is under the command of the UPDF. According to a report by SaferWorld, "many of the Amuka consist of young men recruited from the camps themselves. However, they seem to be poorly trained and although they are formally under the command of the UPDF in practice, it is not clear whether this functions effectively, i.e. whether they are well-disciplined and controlled.”

Leadership

Unlike the Arrow Boys, who are led by politicians, the Amuka lack such political leadership.

External aid/Third party involvement

As the Amuka Boys are deployed by the UPDF, they are known to work closely with them in tracking down the LRA and sharing intelligence.

External effects of the NSAG's armed activities

No information available on this matter.

Funding

Finances generally come from government of Uganda via the UPDF; however these payments are irregular at best.

Relationship with the international community

Books

  • Balencie, J-M & de la Grange, A. (2005), Les Nouveaux Mondes rebelles (Paris: éditions Michalon).
  • German, Richard & Taylor, Elizabeth (2004), “Uganda," in Szajkowski, Bogdan (ed) Revolutionary and Dissident Movements of the World 492 (London: John Harper Publishing).

 

Articles and Chapters

  • Piquemal, Leslie, “La guerre au nord de l’Ouganda: une ‘solution militaire’ sans issue ?," 1 209 Afrique contemporaine (2004), at 141-161.
  • James Bevan, ‘Fuelling Fear.’ in Small Arms Survey 2006: Unfinished Business (2006) Oxford University Press. pp. 273-293
  • Westbrook, David, “The Torment of Northern Uganda: A Legacy of Missed Opportunities," OJPCR: The Online Journal of Peace and Conflict Resolution, Issue 3.2, June 2000. Available at : link
  • David Francis, Civil Militia Africa's intractable security menace, edited by David J. Francis Mampilly Afr Aff (Lond).2007; 106: 722-723.
     

Reports and resolutions of intergovernmental organizations

Governmental reports

Reports of think tanks and non-governmental organizations

  • IISS Armed Conflict Database, Non State Armed Groups, Uganda (LRA), available at link
  • Liu Institute for Global Issues & Human Rights and Peace Centre Makerere University (2003), The Hidden War: the forgotten people: war in Acholiland and it's ramifications for peace and security in Uganda, available at link
  • Institute for Security Studies, Lomo, Zachary & Hovil, Lucy (2004), Behind the Violence: the war in northern Uganda (Pretoria: Institute for Security Studies), also available at link
  • Refugee Law Project, Lomo, Zachary and Lucy Hovil, Behind the Violence: Causes, Consequences and the Search for Solutions to the War in Northern Uganda, Working Paper No.11,February 2004, available at : link
  • Institute of War and Peace Reporting, New Wave of Killings in the North, Bill Oketch, Article No. 180, 1-Aug-08, available at : link. Last accessed on August 2008.

 

Press Information (in chronological order)

Interviews

Internet resources

Statements of the armed group

Agreements involving armed groups