Establishing coping strategies of youth in post conflict situations: the case of Lira Municipality, Northern Uganda

Abstract

The aim of this study was ‘establishing coping strategies of youth in post conflict situation, a case of Lira Municipality’. Participants consisted of 40 youths randomly selected from within the 04 divisions of Lira Municipality as well as 10 key informants purposely selected from within the Municipality. The increasing number of youths on the streets of Lira Municipality without clear employment possess concern as to how they cope up with the post conflict challenges. Without investigating into the coping strategies of youth in post conflict Lira Municipality, the government and other stakeholders may not realise the magnitude of post conflict challenges on youth. The objectives of the study were to; identify impacts of violent conflict on youth in post conflict situation, establishing coping strategies used by youth in post conflict situation and the extent to which youth have benefited from post conflict intervention programmes by both the government and non-governmental organisations. The main findings revealed that youth are struggling to cope with the post conflict challenges due to; Low level of education, lack of access to farm land, low bargaining power for the products, high cost of living, limited access to healthcare, poor shelters, exorbitant taxes levied on goods. The study revealed that violent conflict has had devastating effects on the livelihood of youth in post conflict Lira Municipality. Despite all the strategies put in place in order to improve on the living conditions of youth in post-conflict situation such as extension of loan schemes for example Northern Uganda Social Action Fund Youth Opportunities Programme to youth, strengthening the capacity of local institution to mitigate conflict, provision of farm tools and equipment, accessible health services, offering free counselling and training, some youth have still failed to cope. The best solution would be to encourage those with low or no education background to embrace vocational training and this will help in addressing some of the post-conflict challenges outlined in this report