Turmoil - Commonplace in Uganda

I remember watching the Oscar winning movie, Hotel Rwanda and thinking I never even knew. I was never aware that such tragedy took place or was even possible. Extermination, mutilation and horrific oppression; these things only taking place on a black and white screen in my mind's eye.

Through the efforts of a friend-of-a-friend, I was made better aware that these same nightmares have been taking place on a continual basis in Uganda since 1987. I remember hearing the occasional news blurb discussing unrest in the Congo, but I never once allowed the gravity of it all to sink in. I looked into it a little further and got a larger dose of knowledge about it.

Evidentially, a group named the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), formed in 1987, has been following through in many of the aforementioned acts. Violence grew stronger in the early to mid 90's and one of the main atrocities they have been engaged in is the kidnapping of northern Ugandan children, ages 3-17, for the purposes of (1) use as soldiers; (2) sex slaves; and (3) civilian intimidation. The Acholi people have been the main victims of this. Most have been forced to evacuate and move into internally displaced person (IDP) camps, which are said to be miserable places. Each night, the Acholi send their children on a 12 mile hike to the center of the City, near Government sites for safety from being taken by the LRA army. In the morning, the children hike back.

I will refrain from going on and on (though I could), and allow you to click on the link above (the title). Check it out for yourselves. Through the course of my own enlightenment, I've read that real action is being taken to put an end to the LRA afflictions. I realize that getting on a plane to scoop these people up and take them home with me is not an option, though there are ways to contribute. And lest we not forget there is always prayer to offer.

Okay, I'll hop off the soap box for now. Thanks for the ears.