Uganda: The Question Is Why?

Uganda: The Question is, Why? By: William Winstead Western Kentucky University

Imagine this: You are a young child. After an elongated day of playing in the streets crammed with laughter and imagination you are exhausted. You tell your mother and father goodnight as you head off to bed. You brush your teeth, clean your face, and say your prayers. Eventually after your mind has cleared of the day’s activities, you glide off into a deep sleep of what’s to come tomorrow. The time is officially 3 A.M. Without warning your front door is kicked in. Windows are broken, and you hear gun shots accompanied with screaming. Your mother and father are screaming. Then as quickly as it happened, everything goes silent. Your whole family is dead. You are violently forced out of your home as you walk past your parent’s lifeless bodies. In the future months you are forced to be a soldier at the age of 11. Your life is traumatized because you are forced into something you never asked for. One would think that this is from a horror novel or a famous Hollywood movie but, the fact is this is something that has happened for the past 20 years in Uganda. A rebel group ironically named the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) has been the focal point to this type of terror. Uganda is located in central Africa named the “Pearl” because of their exponential wealth they have compared to other countries in Africa. Uganda borders southern Sudan, and to the east Kenya where the Nile River runs straight through it. The fact is that Uganda does not have a pretty history at all. The conflict between the LRA and Ugandan government began in 1986 when Yoweri Museveni seized power. With this change in power, “27 different rebel groups were resisting the new government” (Finnström, 2006.) Of these rebel groups only a few lasted, including the most notably known LRA which is led by Joseph Kony. With bases in southern Sudan they have repeatedly attacked villages in northern Uganda. What’s ironic is how the name of the rebel group is the Lord’s Resistance Army actually has a “Christian” implication behind it. Joseph Kony’s ultimate ambition is to turn Uganda into a Christian nation, and stray them away from the tribal religions. The backing of this is the Ten Commandments that we are all aware of. Several of the Ten Commandments are, “Thou shall not kill, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, and you shall not give false testimony against your neighbor” (Bible, Ex 20.7-16)

With this background, how could one clearly consider that what Joseph Kony believes in is legitimate? Maybe the best thing to do instead of killing the people with the Christian principles is to actually try a conversion in a peaceful way. This is a lot like how the Crusades were, wreaking terror into people’s lives so that they might convert to Christianity. You can clearly see that Joseph Kony is instead possessed by principles that do not embrace the Christian faith. This has created a total humanitarian disaster. The major result of this is that “25,000 children have been kidnapped by the LRA and forced to be laborers, frontline soldiers, and -- in the case of girls -- sexual slaves” (World Vision, 2008.) The numbers are outstanding when you think about it. They are stripped from everything they know and are being forced to kill their own people. Of the total population of children who were abducted, 70 percent were boys, 30 percent were girls. That averages about 357 children being abducted a month. Of the 30 percent who were girls, over one thousand were to have believed conceived during the time they were under seizure of the LRA. One could not picture the type of damage that has been caused to the mind of a young child. It’s totally outrageous to see this position being forced onto such a young blameless person. With the children being trapped in the middle of the conflict, their only option to keep from being captured by the LRA is to walk. They will go to extreme measures walking during the night to shelters to just sleep so that way they are not captured (Hollywood Reporter, 2005.) It even averaged to about 25,000 children walking under the cover of darkness to safe houses every night. There are pictures plastered everywhere through every media outlet of these children being subjected to this type of a position that was forced on them. Children soldiers are forced to walk days without resting. They are taught to kill, and usually the first victims of their “new trade” are their own family. An area most affected in this conflict is the small town of Lira located in the northern part of Uganda. In an area that was in its prime as a city, is now nothing but a shriveled up, lifeless, barren area. Kony is even blamed for brain-washing the children. The children actually believe that Joseph Kony is their “spiritual leader.” This sadistic person has made the children believe that when going into battle the bullets will not hit them. After all, it’s really easy brainwashing a child when they are so young. As long as you give a person food and shelter, added with fear, they will believe any words that come out of your mouth. This is exactly what Kony is doing (Kabiza, 2008.)

If a child was to ever go absent in the United States, an immediate AMBER alert would go out. The pictures of the child would be shown everywhere. Authorities would be notified nationwide, and would be in pursuit of the individual who abducted the child in hopes of putting that person behind bars for good. However, this clearly isn’t the case in Uganda. Along with child abductions, the most well known strike by the LRA happened in January, 1997 when 412 women, men, and children in Kitigum were killed. This was the highest death toll recorded during this genocide (CSOPNU, 2006.) Also, HIV/AIDS has been used as a weapon. The LRA have even gone to the extremes of screening “those who test HIV-positive deployed to the north, with the mission of wreaking maximum havoc on the local girls and women” (Otunnu, 2006.) With this type of epidemic going on in our world, how could a person use the virus of AIDS to cause damage? Not only does this virus weaken a person’s immune system but it is ever increasingly contagious. With the lack of education towards AIDS prevention it can only increase the dilemma that Africa has been labeled with. Along with this ever complex situation, there is another factor that makes this more problematic. Since Sudan borders the northern part of Uganda, the government of Sudan has aided the LRA with necessary resources to prolong the campaign. In 1994 the Sudan government started funding the LRA hopes to wage a proxy war (a war instigated by a major power that does not itself participate) with Uganda. Considering what has happened overall in Uganda, nothing can really tell the story unless you know the statistics. This tragedy has displaced more than 1.7 million people (8% of total population) from their homes in which they are unable to farm. This is return causes a dramatic toll to the economy in Uganda (World Vision, 2006.) Of that 1.7 million, 1.2 million are situated in the northern parts of Uganda in Gulu, Kitigum, and Pader. This is 94% of the total inhabitants that has been displaced (CSPONU, 2006.) There are over 202 refugee camps in northern Uganda, with most camps averaging a population of 60,000 people. Of those 60,000 people, over half are at least 15 years of age. Death rates are also three times higher than those reported in the Iraqi Allied invasion in 2003. Breaking it down even farther, there are around 900 deaths a week in these refugee camps, which average to about 127 deaths a day due to the conflict. Another aspect that has been affected is education. Education in which we can all agree that is a foundation to every country pulling itself out of poverty, has been slowed down in Uganda from the war. There are over 737 schools in northern Uganda (60 percent of the total) that

no longer function because of the war. This means that over 250,000 children receive no education at all. There are adolescences who still cannot read, write, or do basic math. In food, it is even more staggering than what we could ever imagine. With the regions of Uganda greatly depending on agriculture means in getting their food to feed their families, there are over 78 percent that have no availability to farm land. This is due to the LRA cutting off supply. Of the total population, over 84 percent are in serious need of food and water relief. Because of the food shortage, and the valuable minerals and vitamins food holds, over 48 percent of the children in the Kitgum district have a stunted growth problem. As of now, “The World Food Program (WFP) currently delivers food to 84 percent of all households, providing an average ration of 60 per cent of the total daily requirement” (CSOPNU, 2006.) Along with everything else, the political side has also taken a hit. From 1986-2006 the war has already cost an estimated 1.7 billion dollars. Of the total cost, the northern part has cost an astounding 864 million dollars just of the total deficit. This is on an exponential rise at the moment, increasing by 14.7 percent every year with no means to stopping. The amount of money spent on the war can be compared to the total amount of coffee exports in profit per year for Uganda. With money going into the war and not into education, a sturdy political foundation, and proper means to feed the people of Uganda it means nothing but a depressing future for Uganda. One could only wish that this type of story could be in a book and not be a true event. After 20 years of a total blood bath, the LRA signed an agreement with the Ugandan government (August 2006) confirming a ceasefire. Though a peace treaty is in the process of being signed, no one can guarantee how long it will last, and if Joseph Kony will stick to his word. It is definitely a, “period [that] has seen Uganda’s international reputation shift from ‘basketcase’ to ‘donor darling” (CSOPNU, 2006.) What is known is that Joseph Kony wants complete amnesty to any war crimes that have been put against him. The International Criminal Court wants to charge him to the fullest extent because of the amount of damage that he has caused. However, he “wants clarification of his physical and financial security, and once that is cleared up he will sign the peace agreement," a rebel spokesman, James Obita said (Irish Times, 2008.) Instead of punishment as far as the death penalty, or time in a war prison, the people of Uganda want something totally different. Especially the leader, Yoweri Museveni wants Kony to apologize for what he has done. Not just an open apology, but a sincere apology in front of people that he has affected. This is something that is different from what a traditional court system normally stands for. The ICC says that if Museveni gets his way it could be

"fatally damaging to the credibility" of the court systems in Uganda and other systems nationally (Irish Times, 2008.) The chief point though, even after all the politics have been thrown into this terrible tragedy, is that it should stop. This even means if a bargain has to be waged in order for the treaty to be signed. What is needed ultimately is that each party has to be in agreement and do their part. First the LRA should be committed to resolving the conflict with the avenues of negotiation trying to make sure each side is fair. They should officially announce the peace and move all of their military personnel out of the Ugandan area either into Sudan or the Democratic Republic of Kongo. The Ugandan government needs to prioritize their civilians over any other “goal” that is set as a nation. They must take the necessary means in protecting their people to whatever cost it may entail. There should be increased protection on all roadways, as well as any refugee camp that is in operation at this time. There will need to be an increased awareness from the Ugandan government that this is a crisis that cannot be easily fixed with just one solution. It must be dealt in the manner of such seriousness that this will be their number one priority for years to come. We, as an international, community must also push the Ugandan government and United Nations to make sure that there is a steady and efficient recovery to the people of northern Uganda. Also, there needs to be an increased aid such as medical intervention, food, water, and any other needs that the people of Uganda may have. There should also be a minimum of 3-5 years of certain “psychological” reconstruction of the children. This means rehabilitation centers, social workers present, or whatever other means necessary for the recovering of the mind. Remember that they have been traumatized by what they have seen and the elements that have been exposed to them. There are now several thousands of people in the United States and Canada who are willing to answer the call and aid the people of Uganda. Certain missionary organizations such as Global Expeditions have made the means necessary for young teenagers and adults to have the exciting chance to be world changers. To date “Global Expeditions has taken over 42, 000 missionaries to over 50 countries and brought every single one of them home safely” (Global Expeditions, 2008.) This is an exciting time to give a helping hand to those that are in the greatest need. There definitely will be outreach of personal evangelism, vacation bible school for young children, and reconstruction of many buildings that have been destroyed. A major reconstruction that will be focused on is the heart of the people affected by this. The primary objective

is to show that love wins, even in the most extreme cases when it seems almost impossible to grasp the concept. We as humans can clearly see that we have two of the most extreme powers at our fingertips. We can be the cruelest creatures ever imagined, or in turn we can be a lighthouse of hope and redemption. What we also know is that the world is definitely not perfect. It is far from it actually. One can always dream the world of being like the famous WalGreen commercials where everyone is smiling. When you see this type of destruction in other countries, such as Uganda, you can be thankful that you live in America. Many times we take for granted that everything has been given to us. So the next time when you are asleep in your comfortable bed, remember the ones who have been affected by this type torture. The question that we will be asking for a long time is, why? Innocent children have been turned into soldiers. People have been displaced from their homes for no reason. All things unimaginable to totally bring down a nation have been implemented. One knows that the children affected by this travesty will have to live with this for the rest of their lives. Hopefully we, as an international community, can learn from this and try to divert it before it happens again. If we lived by the golden rule which states, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets” (Bible, Matt 7.12) then maybe all that would be left of Joseph Kony would be a pool of blood. After all, what goes around comes around right?

Works Cited 1. Civil Society Organizations for Peace in Northern Uganda (CSOPNU).

“Counting the cost.” 18 April 2008

2. Finnström, Sverker. “WARS OF THE PAST AND WAR IN THE PRESENT:

THE LORD'S RESISTANCE MOVEMENT/ARMY IN UGANDA.” Africa (00019747) 2006 76(2): 200-220 21p. Academic Search Premier. EBSCOhost. Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY. 18 April. 3. Gough, Paul J. “Cheadle joins 'Nightline' for Uganda report.” Hollywood Reporter -- International Edition; 8/23/2005, Vol. 390 Issue 30, p4-57,

2p, 1c. MasterFILE Premier. EBSCOhost. Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY. 18 April. 4. Otunnu, Olara A. “The Secret Genocide.” Foreign Policy; Jul/Aug2006 Issue 155, p44-46, 3p, 2bw Academic Search Premier. EBSCOhost. Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY. 18 April. 5. WorldVision.com. 18 April 2008 . http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/richard_petraitis/spirit_war.shtml