Returning from Rebel Captivity: Forced Marriage, Emotions and Reintegration in Uganda

Abstract This article explores the complexities of reintegration among formerly abducted women in Uganda, focusing on the dynamic emotional interactions between returnees and their communities. Through qualitative interviews and fieldwork, the research reveals that reintegration is a multifaceted social process that involves renegotiating identities and social roles. Despite the prevailing assumption that returning to one’s home community is the most effective path to reintegration, the article finds that many returnees face significant challenges in rebuilding social connections and overcoming stigma. Emotions such as fear, anger, and mistrust drive the behaviour of these returnees as they navigate the reintegration process, often resulting in feelings of isolation and desperation. The findings challenge the conventional ddr (Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration) approach, which emphasises returning to one’s original community for reintegration. Instead, they suggest that reintegration interventions should be flexible and tailored to individual circumstances, allowing returnees to explore alternative options for reintegration, including integrating into new environments.