A ray of hope for Uganda

In Uganda thousands of people have been killed and more than a million people displaced from thier homes in a war that has lasted for more than two decades. The war is between the Lord Resistance Army and the Ugandan government. The war began as a result of a group of people from the north who felt they were exploited by another group of people who reside in the south. This sentiment was heigtened as a result of the current president, Yoweri Museveni 's sucessful coup which was backed by southern supporters in 1986. The Lord Resistance Army was formed by a man named Joseph Kofi who claimed to be a spiritual messenger fighting for the marginalized people of the north. Sadly, the army has terrorized locals utilizing the most brutal methods on thier victims. One of the tragic circumstance of this war is the use of child soldiers by the LRA. These are children abducted from different places and forced to kill. Abducted females have been victims of sexual abuse as well.

Good news #1: The use of child soldiers has dwindled. The U.S state department recently urged Joseph Kofi to sign a peace deal. There has also been demand from the international court that Kofi be indicted for war crimes. Those involved in the peace process are waiting for Kofi to sign this deal even though he is currently giving the excuse that he needs to know how the international community intends to indict him before he signs. Kofi's signature is a big step to ending a reckless war that has lasted far too long. The sooner the war is over, the sooner the victims can move on with thier lives. One of my main concerns are the child soldiers who have been psychologically and emotionally scarred by the atrocities they were forced to witness and in many cases, forced to commit. Africa's future depends on the well being of her children for they are the leaders of tomorrow.

Good news #2: People are making a difference in the lives of some of these children by placing them in centers that provide psychological counselling. To learn more about the efforts being made to re-integrate former child soldiers into society, please visit:
http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/uganda_40339.html It is obvious a lot of work still needs to be done but a step in the right direction is a good step.

Also to learn more about the war in Uganda, the efforts being made to end it and what you can do to help please visit: http://www.resolveuganda.org/

Even a simple act like raising awareness can make a difference in the lives of our brothers and sisters-and children. We can all be freedom fighters on this one.