In Context: 5 Web Perspectives On A Story In The News

The children of northern Uganda

(U-News) In a political war that has raged on for nearly 22 years, children are the main victims. The Lord’s Resistance Army of Northern Uganda has been using guerrilla force to attempt to rule Uganda according to Biblical Commandments. To build forces, the LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army) abducts children to serve as concubines and fighters.  The abductions often involve mutilation, rape and ferocious beating. Although peacekeepers and foreign military have been able to reduce the violence in northern Uganda, the LRA still exists and abductions are still being reported in neighboring countries. 

1.

Q&A: Uganda’s Northern War

BBC backgrounder to the conflict
This BBC article breaks down the history of the conflict into four questions: Who are the Lord’s Resistance Army, why can’t the army defeat them, how much of Uganda has been affected and why are peace talks making progress now? The article not only outlines the issue but also discusses the progress made thus far and the direction of current initiatives.

2.

The “Night Commuters”– A Photo Essay

Bruno Stevens photo gallery
This photo essay by Bruno Stevens captures the night commuters. As children became desperate for safety from abduction by the LRA they sought out the security of cities. Each evening children would walk up to 15 kilometers from their tribal communities into the nearest cities to spend their nights sleeping on the streets.  They would then return to their homes in the morning to complete long days of community chores. This walk attracted mass attention from human rights groups and raised awareness abour the lives of children in northern Uganda.

3.

War Dance Documentary

War Dance homepage
This webpage provides trailers, excerpts and discussion of the Sundance Film Festival Documentary award winner, War Dance. The film follows the lives of three children who escaped the LRA and are trying to rebuild their lives on military protected camps. They tell the stories of their lost families, brutal abductions and experiences in the bush under control of the LRA. The film and information contained on the webpage are strong visual representations of a devastating struggle.

4.

Forgiving the Lord’s Resistance Army

Complete article
This article provides a unique perspective of restitution from the LRA. Uganda has developed an alternative justice system based on traditional forgiveness rituals where captured rebels have the opportunity to confront their victims in a discussion of forgiveness. The article outlines these powerful sessions and the implications of such a rare form of justice. It also recognizes that only a fraction of  LRA member have been captured and are facing charges.

5.

Gulu Walk – Where will you walk?

Gulu Walk homepage
This is the homepage of a non-profit group started in 1995 by Adrian Bradbury and Kieran Hayward. The initiative works to raise awareness of the victims of the political dispute in northern Uganda through fundraising events and an annual walk to mimic the children’s night commute. This past weekend marked the fourth annual Gulu Walk.