War, Displacement and Productive Occupations in Northern Uganda

Abstract

Prolonged war and internal displacement in Northern Uganda forced nearly 90% of the population out of their lives as rural agriculturalists and into displacement camps, where they experienced both occupational change and occupational deprivation. Drawing on data from two applied ethnographic health research studies, one conducted during war time and the second during resettlement, this paper presents an analysis of occupation-related narratives embedded in the primary studies. The dataset included transcripts from interviews and focus groups with 249 respondents, plus researcher notes from prolonged participant observation. Inductive approaches were applied and thematic and comparative analyses performed. Findings demonstrate the profound consequence war and displacement can have on occupation including loss and restriction. Narratives illustrate a myriad of responses to occupational change and/or deprivation including dysfunction and adaptation, and offer further evidence of the occupational nature of humans.

Keywords:

• War
• Internal displacement
• Occupational deprivation
• Occupational change
• Ethnography
• Northern Uganda

Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge and thank the International Development Research Centre and the Human Early Learning Partnership at the University of British Columbia for the funding which made this research possible. With deep gratitude we also acknowledge the participants of both studies who opened their homes and communities and shared their stories with us.