Northern Uganda

Rarely in human history has a group so small caused so much suffering as is the case in northern Uganda. The Lord’s Resistance Army (or LRA) is a rebel force of less than 1,500 people, and is headed by self-appointed messianic leader and indicted war criminal, Joseph Kony. This small but ruthless force has caused unspeakable havoc: abducting tens of thousands of children and forcing them to become child soldiers, sexually enslaving young girls, and terrorizing communities.  The LRA's reign of terror extends beyond northern Uganda to neighboring southern Sudan, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic.

In 2005, the International Criminal Court charged Kony with 33 counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes, but he has yet to face justice for his actions. At the same time, on-again, off-again peace talks between the Ugandan government and the LRA have failed to bear fruit. The conflict with the LRA is now entering a new, deadly cycle: recent abductions of hundreds of children suggest that the LRA is rebuilding its military capabilities. With every minute that passes, Kony's forces become larger and more threatening.

Despite recent hopes for a lasting peace deal, the LRA’s continuing war on innocent civilians — many of whom are children — is far from over. The international community's relative apathy has only worsened the situation.  At a time when all eyes should be focused on Uganda, key international actors have failed to come up with a sensible road to peace.  The LRA is a ticking time bomb that must not be allowed to re-gain its strength.  Its leaders must be apprehended and held accountable for their crimes.  Until then, there is no justice in Uganda.