Uganda's Forgotten War
Upon landing at Entebbe International Airport in Uganda, just on the outskirts of the bustling capital city of Kampala, the reality of the journey for which I was embarking became clear. The continent of Africa is one rife with conflict and a continent long forgotten by most. The Republic of Uganda, located in east Africa and bordered by Sudan to the north, the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west, and Rwanda to the south, lies in a rough and troublesome neighbourhood. Not immune from the grips of conflict, Uganda has been battling an 18 year rebellion in its northern districts against the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). This rebellion, deemed one of the most brutal and longest running conflicts in Africa, has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of people, the forced displacement of over 2 million people, and the death of countless others from disease and malnutrition-a direct outcome of the conflict.
The purpose of this journey, among others, was to engage in an in-depth analysis and observation of the effects of the Ugandan conflict, and the humanitarian consequences of 18 years of sustained brutality. Although the intricacies of this conflict far exceed the scope of this article, I will discuss two significant factors: 1) the abduction of children for use as soldiers and sex slaves; and 2) the plight of Uganda's internally displaced people (IDPs).
Children of War
The LRA, a rebel paramilitary group intent on the creation of a state based on the Biblical Ten Commandments, is led by the self-proclaimed prophet Joseph Kony. Having perpetrated widespread human rights violations throughout their reign of terror, and famous for their practice of abducting boys and girls for use as child soldiers and sex slaves, respectively, LRA combatants are currently estimated to number 4,000. Of the LRA's fighters, an estimated 80% are comprised of child soldiers. The child soldiers, once abducted, are forced to slaughter members of their family and community or face death themselves. Female captives, on the other hand, are used as "bush wives". These young girls are systematically raped and forced to fulfill the traditional duties of "wives" for their new husbands. Very frequently these girls become infected with HIV/AIDS and give birth to multiple children in the bush.
For those children abducted by the LRA, being rescued by the UPDF can provide the opportunity to enter into a rehabilitation and reintegration programme run by international and local organisations such as World Vision and GUSCO, respectively. These centres, which I had an opportunity to visit, engage in the tough task of rehabilitating the young children from their prolonged and traumatic experiences with the LRA. Furthermore, these boys and girls are typically taught a trade in which they can carry with them upon returning to civilian life. The difficulty of reintegration into civil society, however, is a major stumbling block for most children. Having committed atrocities and been used for sex, former abductees are by and large ostracized by their families and communities, and are therefore unable to reintegrate upon their return.
Internally Displaced Ugandan's
With over 2 million people having been displaced since the start of the conflict, there still exists an estimated 1.3 million IDPs in camps throughout the country. On a field visit to the northern district of Gulu, one of the three affected by the conflict, and accompanied by Ugandan Secret Service personnel and a full-fledged military convoy, I made my first foray into the volatile heartland of the conflict. The Awer IDP camp, one of many in Uganda's northern districts, has a population of about 29,000 and is comprised mainly of displaced Ugandans alongside a smaller number of southern Sudanese refugees who fled their native Sudan due to its own instability. In walking through the camp it is easy to observe the dire living conditions of the inhabitants. With no basic infrastructure, insufficient food aid, lack of economic opportunity, and a lack of all the basic necessities for life, the camp is a destitute depot of abject poverty.
The inhabitants of the Awer IDP camp, as with other camps throughout the country, range from those who have been there since the beginning of the conflict 18 years ago, to those who have recently been displaced. These camps, however, are crucial in ensuring the collective security of those IDPs whose lives are in constant danger in their towns and villages.
Time for Action
Uganda's ongoing war has been completely forgotten in the West. As one of Africa's longest and most cruel wars, the human suffering of Uganda's Acholi people has gone on for too long. Increased insecurity, frequent LRA attacks, and a worsening humanitarian situation have renewed the urgency for an end to the conflict. Greater attention from the international community and swift action by the United Nations Security Council is vital to ensuring the peaceful resolution of Uganda's northern conflict. The time is now for those affected by the war to live a life free from violence and fear.
