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Mobility and crisis in Gulu Drivers, dynamics and challenges of rural to urban mobility SUBMITTED TO THE RESEARCH AND EVIDENCE FACILITY FEBRUARY 2018 Contents Map of Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda 3 Summary 4 1. Introduction 6 Project context and aims of research 6 Significance of the site of investigation 6 Methodology 8 Constraints and limitations 8 2. Research setting and context 9 Socio-cultural context 9 Economic context 10 Rural to urban mobility in historical perspective 13 Impact on urban development 16 3. Migrant experiences 19 Drivers of migration 19 Role of social networks 24 Opportunities and challenges 26 Financial practices of migrants 30 Impact on sites of origin 32 Onward migration 34 4. Conclusion 35 Bibliography 37 This report was written by Ronald Kalyango with contributions from Isabella Amony and Kindi Fred Immanuel. This report was edited by Kate McGuinness. Cover image: Gulu bus stop, Gulu, Uganda © Ronald Kalyango. This report was commissioned by the Research and Evidence Facility (REF), a research consortium led by the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London and funded by the EU Trust Fund. The Rift Valley Institute works in eastern and central Africa to bring local knowledge to bear on social, political and economic development. The views expressed in this report are those of the researchers and do not indicate a position or opinion on the part of the Research and Evidence Facility, the Rift Valley Institute, the European Union or the EU Trust Fund for Africa. Copyright © Rift Valley Institute 2018. This work is published under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0). Map of Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda MOBILITY AND CRISIS IN GULU 3 Summary Gulu Municipality is among the fastest growing urban centres in Uganda. In 1991, it was the fourth largest with a population of 38,297. In 2002, the population increased to 119,430 and by 2014, the population had risen to 149,802 people. The sudden popula- tion increase between 1991 and 2002 can be attributed to the armed conflict in northern Uganda, which forced many displaced people into the town. The further increase in 2014 is largely a consequence of persons who did not return to their pre-conflict homes and persons who faced challenges in their pre-conflict homes, who then returned to Gulu. Historically, Gulu is a place of mixed opportunities. In the 1980s and 1990s, Gulu hosted many internally displaced persons (IDPs) fleeing the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) conflict in northern Uganda. When the conflict came to an end in 2006, the municipality quickly became a migrant destination because of the security it provided and the economic opportunities available in the post-conflict period. When conflict broke out in South Sudan in 2013, Gulu again became an important destination for refugees fleeing the conflict and entrepreneurs. The push and pull factors informing migration to Gulu town can be understood in three contexts: Rural to urban migration from the Acholi sub-region; from other regions of the country; and foreign migration from other countries, particularly refugees from South Sudan. Push factors from the rural areas in the Acholi sub-region are mainly a conse- quence of land conflicts experienced during the period of return to pre-conflict homes, failure to make a living through agriculture, and migration due to marriage and other social linkages. The study finds that migration is facilitated by social networks, which provide the crucial connections that individuals need to settle in a new place. Networks are an essential source of information on available livelihood opportunities and social security. Three forms of social networks are identified: Networks based on family relations; networks based on tribe, place of origin and language; and networks based on membership in saving groups. An examination of migrant life trajectories reveals that social networks play a critical role in the decision to migrate and in settling into life in a new place. As migrants become involved in new networks, they access new information that may inform decisions for onward migration. For many, integration into Gulu town is a gradual process partly facilitated by capital endowments in terms of social networks, financial resources and human capital, such as entrepreneurial skills. Forging new social networks in Gulu town and sharing informa- tion may lead to further migration. The presence of Ethiopian, Eritrean and Sudanese entrepreneurs in Gulu is also likely to result in the formation of social networks that facilitate further movement out of Gulu. The shift of business enterprises from Juba to RIFT VALLEY institUTE REPort 4 Gulu in 2013 points to the fact that migrants remain agile and willing to move on to new destinations where economic opportunities arise. Increasing population movement to Gulu Municipality, however, poses several challenges to urban planning. Inadequate social services to meet the demands of the growing popu- lation, environmental degradation, poor refuse management, the HIV/AIDS epidemic, high levels of illiteracy and crime are some of the challenges Gulu Municipality currently faces. Moreover, the growing population is not matched by a growing municipal budget. Although the growth of business has boosted local revenues, the impact has been limited due to the fact that the majority of migrants work in the informal sector, which is difficult to regulate and tax. Thus, while municipality officials are enthusiastic about growth, several issues need to be addressed to make Gulu a viable secondary city in Uganda. MOBILITY AND CRISIS IN GULU 5 1. Introduction Project context and aims of the research This project aims to better understand the dynamics of rural to urban migration and the ways in which this phenomenon impacts the social and infrastructural fabric of secondary cities. It is conducted within the framework of the Research and Evidence Facility (REF) on migration in the Horn of Africa, supported by the EU Trust Fund. It is carried out in three secondary cities in East Africa: Gulu, Uganda; Eldoret, Kenya; and Dire Dawa, Ethi- opia. The purpose of the project is to better understand the dynamics associated with rural to urban migration, their impact on people’s movement to secondary cities and the extent to which migration to secondary cities leads to subsequent migration. The three research questions are explored: i. To what extent and how does rural–urban migration enhance people’s livelihoods and resilience? How much do such movements lead to improved access to services, higher incomes, better employment and improved security? How effective are urban linkages in introducing a safety net for those who live in rural areas? ii. What is the impact of people’s movement into secondary cities on infrastructure and services, social cohesion, and security? What impact does a growing population have on strengthening the urban economy or on putting pressure on services, exac- erbating tensions and contributing to insecurity? iii. How does migration to secondary cities affect subsequent migration? Does the first experience of migration prepare people for further migration? Significance of the site of investigation Gulu Municipality is among the fastest growing urban centres in Uganda. In 1991, Gulu Municipality was the fourth largest, with a population of 38,297. In 2002, the popula- tion of Gulu suddenly increased to 119,430, making it the second largest municipality after Kampala. This increase can be attributed to the armed conflict in northern Uganda, which forced many displaced people into Gulu town. Following the end of the conflict in 2005, the majority of displaced people returned to their pre-conflict homes. Despite these returns, the population of Gulu continues to rise. By 2014, for example, Gulu Municipality was home to 149,802 people, making it the seventh largest in the country (see Table 1). RIFT VALLEY institUTE REPort 6 Table 1. Population of the 10 largest urban centres in Uganda, 1991–2014 District Urban centre 1991 2002 2014 1 Kampala Kampala 774,241 1,189,142 1,507,114 2 Wakiso Nansana na na 365,857 Municipality 3 Wakiso Kira Municipality na na 317,428 4 Wakiso Makindye na na 282,664 Ssabagabo 5 Mbarara Mbarara 41,031 69,363 195,160 Municipality 6 Mukono Mukono 7,406 46,506 162,744 Municipality 7 Gulu Gulu Municipality 38,297 119,430 149,802 8 Buikwe Lugazi 18,828 27,979 114,163 Municipality 9 Masaka Masaka 49,585 67,768 103,293 Municipality 10 Kasese Kasese 18,750 53,907 101,557 Municipality Source: UBOS, The National Population and Housing Census, 2014* * Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), ‘The National Population and Housing Census 2014–Main Report’, Kampala: Uganda, 2016. Unless otherwise stated, reference to national census data is derived from this source. Gulu stands at the junction of the major roads to northern Uganda, South Sudan and the Central African Republic.1 The 192 km road from the Ugandan border to Juba is a vital link between South Sudan and Kenya’s Indian Ocean ports and the wider world, which travels through Uganda. The road has made Gulu an important transit town to Juba, as well as to other destinations, such as Atiak, Kitgum, Adjumani and Arua. When conflict broke out in South Sudan in December 2013, Gulu became an alternative destination for those fleeing the conflict, including for South Sudanese, and Eritrean and Ethiopian entrepreneurs. Because of it s location, Gulu attracts rural migrants from both the Acholi sub-region and other parts of the country. 1 Gulu District is located in northern Uganda, approximately 350 km north of the country’s capital, Kampala. It is bordered by Amuru District in the west, Lamwo District in the north-east, Pader District in the east and Omoro District in south.

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