Uganda

“The TFV helped me. I was really mentally disturbed after all the horrors that happened to us. I would take off all my clothes and walk around naked. I couldn’t even eat. Since I started getting help from the TFV, I am well. I am healthy. Now, I dress up.” – Esther, beneficiary of the programme in Uganda
 

At a glance

Background

In 2004, the Government of Uganda referred the situation in northern Uganda to the ICC. In 2005, the ICC issued arrest warrants against five leaders of the LRA. Dominic Ongwen surrendered and was taken into ICC custody in the Central African Republic in 2015.

On 4 February 2021, Mr Ongwen was found guilty of 61 crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in northern Uganda between 1 July 2002 and 31 December 2005. He was sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment on 6 May 2021, and both conviction and sentence were confirmed on appeal in December 2022.

On 28 February 2024, Trial Chamber IX issued its Reparations Order against Mr Ongwen. It ordered collective, community-based reparations focused on rehabilitation and symbolic measures, including a symbolic award of EUR 750 for every eligible victim. The Chamber set Mr Ongwen’s liability at EUR 52,429,000 and invited the TFV to submit an implementation plan by 3 September 2024.

The programme

In 2008, the TFV identified 18 projects for Ugandan victims within the jurisdiction of the ICC and notified the Pre-Trial Chamber of its intention to provide assistance. The programme has since provided medical and psychological rehabilitation and livelihood support across 22 districts. A second phase reached 43,284 beneficiaries by 2017 and a further 6,006 in 2018. In April 2019, the TFV launched a new five-year programme cycle; from April to December 2019, it reached 5,257 direct beneficiaries.

Who the programme is for

People the programme works with directly:

• Former child soldiers and abducted persons;
• Mutilated victims and people with physical injuries or disabilities;
• Survivors of sexual and gender-based violence;
• Victims of mental trauma.

People who benefit more widely:

• Family and community members, and victimised villages and traumatised communities, through psychosocial and peacebuilding activities.

The programme covers Otuke, Apac, Alebtong, Lira, Amolatar, Dokolo, Kwania, Gulu, Omoro, Kitgum, Lamwo, Kole, Oyam, Agago, Nwoya, Amuru, Pader, Kapelebyong, Amuria, Kaberamaido, Soroti and Adjumani districts.

What the programme delivered

Medical treatment. Plastic surgery for facial disfigurement and burns, removal of bullets and bomb fragments, artificial limbs for amputees, physiotherapy, post-operative care, chronic pain management, and specialised services for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, such as fistula repair.

Trauma counselling and psychosocial support. Clinical counselling for individuals, families and small groups, responding to conditions such as PTSD, depression and anxiety. Peer support activities – music, dance, drama and sport – promote healing and social cohesion, alongside peacebuilding, community sensitisation, workshops and radio broadcasts on acceptance and on reducing stigma faced by survivors, former child soldiers and persons with disabilities.

Livelihood support. For victims who lost everything through attacks on their homes and villages, repeated displacement, abduction and lost education, the programme supports village savings and loan associations, income-generating activities, vocational training, animal husbandry and improved agriculture.

Results. Between 2008 and 2023, more than 73,000 Ugandan victims directly benefited, and well over 350,000 family and community members benefited indirectly.

Funding

Since 2004, 53 States Parties have contributed at least once to the TFV, for a total of EUR 56 million. Because of the nature of its interventions, contributions to the TFV are ODA-eligible and may be earmarked to a specific country, type of victim or type of activity.

The programme is designed and managed by the Secretariat of the TFV under the supervision of the Board of Directors. The Secretariat is funded from the regular contributions of States Parties, so there are no overheads on the programme and resources go entirely to victims.

Last Update: September 2026.