CSOPNU's primarily role is to conduct and support focused advocacy at national and International levels. CSOPNU’s broad strategies include; research, influencing public opinion, lobbying at national regional and international levels. These strategies are operationalised by periodic Advocacy Strategy developed from time to time. During the last two years (September 2006 to August 2008) the coalition focused on three thematic areas:  

• Improving the formulation and implementation of development initiatives in Northern Uganda.
• Contributing to achieving sustainable peace in Northern Uganda and
• Improving the protection of civilians in Northern Uganda.

From September 2006 to August 2008, the coalition has been implementing a project "Consolidating Efforts for Sustainble Peace in Northern Uganda" co-funded by DFID and SIDA. The project goal was to realize a situation where representatives of the Government of Uganda, civil society and the international community are better informed of the need for and possibility of a just and sustainable solution to the conflict in Northern Uganda within a process of national reconciliation. The purpose of the project was to enhance the capacity of CSOPNU members to effectively influence public opinion and practices affecting peace and reconciliation in Northern Uganda. The implementation of the project was guided by CSOPNU’s broad strategies; research, influencing public opinion, lobbying at national regional and international levels. These strategies were operationalised by the Advocacy Strategy developed and implemented during the project period.

The key outcome of the project "Consolidating Efforts for Sustaibale Peace in Northern Uganda" has been the increased capacity of the colaition for effective horizontal and vertical linkages between the CSOPNU members and with the affected people for local, national and international debate and advocacy about peace and national reconciliation has increased. The colaition has been able to conduct focused advocacy based on research, analysis and public validation in specific thematic areas related to peace and national reconciliation.

Research and Analysis:
The coalition has done a number of research on the underlying causes and effects of the conflict. Some of the research and analysis published includes:

* The PRDP Simplified Version (English) (June 2008).

 * Toward a Successful DDRR in Northern Uganda (May 2008).

+ Community Recommendations on Accountability and Reconciliation in Northern Uganda (August 2007)

 + The Impact of Armed Conflict on Children in Northern Uganda (Mar 2007),

+ Land Matter in Displacement (December 2004),

+ No Where to Hide (200December 2004),

+ Perception of Ugandans on National Identity (2005),

+ Economic Cost of the Conflict (2002),


 Influencing Public Opinion through discussions and policy advice

The coalition organises discussion fora   (workshops, seminars, debates, etc), policy paper/briefs and media activities on topical issues.  

The coalition has been conduction regular research and analysis of the sitaution in Northern Uganda. The research and analysis has been informing Policy Briefs and the numerous Press Statements the coalition has been issuing in the media. The Policy Briefs and Press Statements are available at: publications.

CSOPNU in partnership with other CSOs has been organising regular consultative meetings with the Government of Uganda Peace Team to offer moral and technical support, get feedback, share information and analysis on the progress of peace Process. During the consultations on Accountability and Reconciliation in 2007, CSOPNU organised an indepedent CSO consultative meeting with the LRA Peace Delegation in Kampala to share perspectives and offer support to the JUba peace Initiative.

CSOPNU in partnership with ACODE co-organised a Multi-stakeholders' Conference on monitoring the implementation of the PRDP. The conference drew participants from government, Members of Parliament, donors, CSOs, district leaders from 40 districts under the PRDP, the Justice, Law and Order sector (judiciary, police, prison and the army) and several development partners. Several papers were presented aimed at perfecting the PRDP implementation. The conference also enabled the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) under whose docket the PRDP falls to raise awareness on the PRDP, clarify concerns and respond to and take note of emerging challenges.

CSOPNU has been organising regular Peace Actors Meetings in Northern Uganda. The Peace Actors Meeting is a forum for generating and debating conflict and reconciliation issues at local levels. There were some specific sub-regional conflict and reconciliation issues, however land disputes, community policing challenges, access to justice for victims, illegal arms in circulation in the communities were common to all the four sub-region of West Nile, Acholi Lango and Teso. The Peace Actors Meetings also helps to improve coordination and information sharing among the members and other actors.

 Lobbying at National, Regional and International Level

The passing of important policies by the GoU such as a new pillar on conflict resolution in the revised PEAP, and the National IDP policy reflects the efficacy of CSOPNU’s advocacy work.

CSOPNU held a meeting with the UN Special Envoy for LRA affected Areas, former president of Mozambique, Joachim Chissano in Kampala to offer support to his role and lobby for more commitment from international community.

Lobby meeting was held with the Minister of Internal Affairs, also leader of the Government of Uganda Peace Delegation to urge for protection of civilian and continued commitment for peaceful conflict resolution following failure of the LRA to sign a Final Peace Agreement.