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Failed Peace
Since its independence from the British in 1962, Uganda has been plagued with dictatorships and civil war. After years of negotiations, a peace agreement between the Government of Uganda and the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) was expected in April 2008. However, peace negotiations failed because the LRA leader, Joseph Kony, refused to sign the final document and dismissed his negotiating team.
The
Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) is a guerrilla army established in 1987 that has mainly operated in Northern Uganda in the districts of Gulu, Kitgum and Pader. It is accused of widespread human rights violations, including mutilation, torture, rape, abduction, the use of child soldiers, and a number of massacres. |
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LRA's Strategy
The LRA’s main strategy has been the abduction of children for forced servitude and combat. It is estimated that since the late 1980s, 25,000 children have been abducted. While boys are used as child soldiers, girls are used as sex slaves and are at risk of getting pregnant at a very young age. On average, girls and women are in captivity for 2 years, twice the average length of abduction for boys and men. Catholic Relief Services 2004 Report explains the LRA’s tactic clearly: “The LRA reportedly forces children to kill family members or friends in front of other children to instill fear and loyalty causing a devastating psychological impact on children who are less likely to return to a community where they participated in murdering and torturing their own neighbors and family members." As a result of rape and forced killing,children returning to their communities are discriminated against by the locals. Child mothers and their children face greater rejection and have a very difficult time reintegrating and accessing basic services and social support networks.
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Government's Response
The Government of Uganda’s response to this dreadful violence has been to move civilians from their homes into internally displaced camps (IDPs) for easier and better protection. In the 20 years of armed conflict, about 1.8 million people have been displaced and it is estimated that in Pader district alone, 82% of the population is displaced. Although well intended, the Government’s mobilization policy did not provide real protection for camp residents, who continued being attacked by the LRA while also being exposed to high prevalence of disease, malnutrition, and poverty. Although many people have returned to their villages as a result of the recent cease-fire and peace negotiation, thousands remain in IDP camps because they fear the LRA will return from Sudan and Congo.
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