Northern Uganda

The brutality of the Lord’s Resistance Army, a northern Ugandan rebel group, has few parallels throughout the world. For over 20 years and with support from the Sudanese government, LRA leader and wanted war criminal Joseph Kony, his few disciples, and an army composed principally of children abducted and forced to fight on Kony’s behalf, have wrought havoc throughout northern Uganda and southern Sudan. Through systematic abductions, torture, mutilation, rape, and murder, the LRA has displaced over one and a half million people. Although war clouds remain on the horizon, fragile peace negotiations between the Government of Uganda and the LRA continue. Recent dissension, disarray, deaths, and defections within the LRA leadership provide a major opportunity for negotiators to pursue the conclusion of a swift deal with Joseph Kony himself. Focused and effective leadership from the United States in support of the broader international and regional efforts can end one of the world’s most destructive wars.

Roots of the Crisis | Uganda Policy Standard*NEW*