Hope for Peace as Uganda Receives Increased Aid

Large numbers of Ugandans remain displaced and in desperate need, according to a global alliance of churches and related agencies. With the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in camps peaking over 1.6 million, Action by Churches Together (ACT) reported Friday that the approximately 200 camps in existence are largely under served.

"Many Ugandans continue to live in fear," the global alliance stated. "Every evening 44,000 children and adult ‘night commuters’ are moving into northern towns of Gulu, Kalongo, and Kitgum and returning home in the morning. They fear abduction by the Lord`s Resistance Army (LRA) for use as soldiers, sex slaves and porters."

However, ACT reports that some Ugandans now envisage improved security following an apparent weakening of the LRA rebel group since April 2004. Since then, the security situation has improved in Katakwi and Soroti districts and people have received food packages. Some security improvements in Acholi and Lira districts have also been noticed.

"In 2005, there is hope for peace," the alliance stated.

Most recently, Reuters reported that Brigadier Sam Kolo, a top officer in Uganda's LRA, surrendered on Wednesday, boosting hopes that other senior commanders could soon abandon their 18-year insurgency.

Kolo, the head LRA negotiator at the first face-to-face peace talks with the government in a decade in December, was the most senior of a series of rebels to respond to a government amnesty offer in recent weeks.

Colonel Charles Otema-Awany, head of military intelligence in northern Uganda, confirmed that Kolo had given himself up and said he was expected to arrive at the army's 4th Division headquarters in Gulu later on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Church of Uganda — a member of ACT — is intending to provide humanitarian assistance from April 2005 to March 2006 to IDPs in Kitgum, Pader, Lira and Apac. The effort will be coordinated with Lutheran World Federation Uganda, which has worked in Adjumani, Katakwi and Kitgum districts since last month.

"LWF Uganda and Church of Uganda would work with the IDPs to assist them in returning to their respective homes, albeit on a gradual basis, with close monitoring of the security situation," ACT reported. The alliance has issued an appeal to expand range of sectors such as nutrition, water, hygiene/sanitation, protection, and essential relief items for resettlement, shelter, and food security.

According to repots, the LRA’s 18-year insurgency has killed tens of thousands of people and forced more than a million to flee their homes. Currently, the government is using a combination of military pressure and talks to convince the LRA to give up its rebellion, hoping to end the conflict.




Kenneth Chan
Ecumenical Press