 |
ONE-PAGER
This resource provides ideas for your congregation to get involved. Post it on your church bulletin board or hand it out during the service. |
 |
 |
UGANDA RESOURCES
This resource provides suggested readings, movies, and action ideas for your congregation. |
 |
BULLETIN INSERT
This resource provides prayers for Uganda to be inserted into your church's bulletin. |
 View a series of photos and short essays documenting the life of one girl from northern Uganda: Beatrice. Her life will teach you about the horrors of war in northern Uganda, the conditions of life as a child soldier, an internally displaced person and an orphan. Beatrice will also demonstrate the exceptional diligence, hope and intelligence that characterize so many children affected by war in northern Uganda. Beatrice is the future of northern Uganda. Help LWR ensure that her future is one of peace and prosperity. |
Send a post card to your Members of Congress asking that they promote peace and reconstruction in northern Uganda. To order post cards for yourself or your congregation please email your name, address and the number of post cards you would like to:
advocacy@lwr.org
Download preview PDF of the post card you will receive.
 House Party for northern Uganda: Action and Education Guide. Use this guide to host a house party, screen the movie War Dance and promote peace in northern Uganda one party at a time.
|
| Reports | DVD/VHS | Books |
Reports
We encourage you to read these up-to-date resources from trusted colleague organizations to get yourself up to speed on current issues, as a basis for a group discussion, or pass them along to family and friends who are interested in advocating for peace in Uganda.
PRESS RELEASES:
- "Additional efforts needed to end displacement in Northern Uganda," warns UN representative - Walter Kaelin
- Lutheran World Relief Applauds Bill for Peace and Reconciliation in Uganda
"Kill Every Living Thing: The Barlonyo Massacre"
Justice and Reconciliation Project
Gulu District NGO Forum (February 2009)
View this document as a PDF
A recent report on the 2004 Barlonyo massacre in northern Uganda provides insight into the impacts of Uganda's brutal and complex conflict. It includes recommendations for how best to move beyond atrocity and promote justice in Barlonyo.
Resolve Uganda: History
Visit this Website
This summary is an informative and concise resource for folks who are just beginning to learn about the history of conflict in Uganda. Tying the roots of political instability back to colonial rule, the document describes the failure of military action to resolve the conflict. The summary also recounts the repercussions of Museveni’s 1986 military coup, the creation of internally displaced populations and the abduction of youth as child soldiers.
“Memo to U.S. Policymakers: Crucial Window of Opportunity Must Not be Missed”
Resolve Uganda (September 2008)
Visit this Website
This report discusses a window of opportunity in which the actions of U.S. leaders may be critical in determining whether northern Uganda can enter new era of peace and prosperity, or remains in a state of conflict. Effective leadership can help affected communities overcome the destruction wrought by the war and provide a catalyst for stability in one of the world's most volatile regions.
“Northern Uganda – Roots of the Crisis”
Enough Project (July 2006)
Visit this Website
Another succinct summary of the decades-long conflict in Uganda up to July 2006, this Enough Project report links Uganda’s political history with events in neighboring Rwanda and the Congo. Beginning with Uganda’s independence in 1962, the report includes descriptions of many political figures including Ugandan presidents Milton Obote whose government became violent and dictatorial, Idi Amin Dada who dissolved the Ugandan parliament and oversaw the death of thousands, and Yoweri Museveni who has brought relative stability and economic growth to the country.
“From Emergency to Recovery: Rescuing northern Uganda’s transition”
Oxfam (September 2008)
View this document as a PDF
This summary addresses northern Uganda’s transition from a region of conflict back to a peaceful community. Despite the absence of a final peace settlement, a dramatic improvement in security in war-ravaged northern Uganda is allowing displaced civilians to return home and has transformed the humanitarian operating environment. A transition is now under way from a relief effort led by international agencies to government-driven recovery. But that shift is generating new challenges for northern Ugandans and institutional confusion among the actors working to help them rebuild their lives. After decades of conflict and marginalization, it is critical that the government of Uganda and its international partners bring a peace dividend to the North through an inclusive and co-ordinated recovery process.
“The Building Blocks of Sustainable Peace: The Views of Internally Displaced People
in Northern Uganda”
Oxfam (September 2007).
View this document as a PDF
In response to attacks from the Lord’s Resistance Army in the 1990s, the Ugandan government herded citizens in the north into dozens of camps where 1.8 million Ugandans still reside to day. Although the camps were meant to offer protection, residents still face threats from the LRA and generally live in squalid conditions. Oxfam International gives a greater voice to these internally displaced people, emphasizing the need for their participation and consultation in the peace process and development projects. The report encourages measures to support the voluntary return of these Ugandans to their homes.
“Give Peace a Real Chance: Rethinking U.S. Policy Toward Northern Uganda”
Resolve Uganda (October 2007)
View this document as a PDF
As a strong ally of the Ugandan government and a country with significant political leverage, the U.S. can play a major role in advancing peace in Uganda. Although the Juba peace negotiation referred to in this report have since fallen through, the actions that are recommended for the U.S. address issues that are still relevant to the establishment of peace. Such issues include the avoidance of further hostilities, the return of internally displaced persons and the address of root social and political instability.
“Uganda: Uncertain future for IDPs while peace remains elusive.”
Internal Displacement Monitoring Center (April 2008)
View this document as a PDF
A more comprehensive exploration of the condition of internally displaced persons in Uganda, this report provides background accounts of displacement and overviews of the physical security and humanitarian situation of IDPs. The concluding summary of the international community’s response highlights improving but still inadequate awareness and attention.
“Uganda Country Summary 2007”
Human Rights Watch (January 2008)
View this document as a PDF
The ability of the civilian population to access justice is a key factor for the establishment of security and the Human Rights Watch’s 2007 report recounts the efforts of the Ugandan government and the Lord’s Resistance Army to set up protocols to bring justice to war crimes. The report describes the steps that the government took in 2007 to control the incidents of military abuses and also recounts significant events including the suppression of demonstrations and mass detentions.
top ^
DVD/VHS:
The following documentaries are excellent educational and advocacy tools. They provide compelling and sometimes graphic visual footage of the war in Uganda and feature interviews and stories of those who the conflict has impacted directly. These are great resources for use in adult forums or for initiating discussions in the home. If you have difficulty finding any resource, contact Mary Duvall.
Note: These films contain material about the violent situation in Uganda and may not be appropriate for certain audiences. Please review any film before showing it.
Uganda Rising
Directed by Jesse James Miller and Pete McCormack
(2004 Mindset Media, 2006)
Format: DVD
Suitable for: Adults
Running time: 82 minutes
Excerpt Recommendation for Adult Forums:
Chapter 16
A visceral and unflinching look at the conflict in Uganda, this documentary intersperses its account of Ugandan’s political history with interviews of citizens, peace negotiators, NGO workers and political commentators. The film draws particular attention to the plight of Uganda’s children who have been abducted for use as soldiers and sex slaves. This DVD can be purchased at www.ugandarising.com.
Invisible Children: Discover the Unseen
Directed by Jason Russell, Bobby Bailey and Lauren Poole (2003, People Like You, 2006)
Format: DVD
Suitable for: High school/College audiences
Running time: 55 minutes
Excerpt Recommendation for Adult Forums:
Chapters 6 and 7
Filmed by three young Americans who traveled to Africa and discovered a tragedy, Invisible Children documents Ugandan children’s’ nightly search for relative safety from rebel abduction. The filmmakers accompany the often parent-less children on their journeys from the country into towns where they wait out the night in whatever space they can find. Although the occurrence of night commuting in Uganda has since dwindled, the film provides a compelling look at the impact of war on children. This DVD can be purchased at www.invisiblechildren.com/theMovement.
War/Dance
Directed by Sean Fine and Andrea Nix (2007 Velocity / Thinkfilm, 2008)
Fomat: DVD
Suitable for: Any age group
Running time: 105 minutes
Excerpt Recommendation for Adult Forums:
Chapters 9 and 10
A moving film about the courage and creativity of a group of Northern Ugandan children, this documentary follows the students Patongo Primary School, a school in an impoverished refugee camp, as they compete in Uganda’s National Music Competition. The film highlights the children’s pride in their culture and traditions as well as the impact that war has had on them and their families. For more information on this film, visit www.wardancethemovie.com.
top ^
Books:
These books provide more in depth background information on the conflict of the Ugandan people as seen through the eyes of its citizens, academics, and concerned advocates. Consider borrowing a copy from your local library or, if you’d like to purchase them, requesting them from your favorite book retailer.
McDonnell, Faith and Grace Akallo.
Girl Soldier: A Story of Hope for Northern Uganda’s Children.
Grand Rapids: Chosen Books, 2007.
A deeply personal autobiographic account of the Ugandan conflict as told by Grace Akallo, a child abductee whose account of her experiences as a coerced rebel soldier is both gripping and disturbing. Akello’s account is interspersed with informative passages by Faith McDonnell, an employee of the Institute on Religion and Democracy. An inspiring introduction to the Ugandan conflict’s history.
Finnstrom, Sverker.
Living With Bad Surroundings: War, History, and Everyday Moments in Northern Uganda.
Durham: Duke University, 2008.
This academic text combines the themes of imperialism, religion, morality and violence in a sophisticated analysis of Ugandan culture in the context of war. Informed by Finnstrom’s fieldwork experiences from 1997-2002, the book acknowledges the impact of global interconnectedness on Uganda’s political climate and explores how cultural practices sustain people in their experience of violence.
top ^
WHO IS LWR? Lutheran World Relief, an international nonprofit organization, works to end poverty and injustice by empowering some of the world's most impoverished communities to help themselves. With partners in 35 countries, LWR seeks to promote sustainable development with justice and dignity by helping communities bring about change for healthy, safe and secure lives; engage in Fair Trade; promote peace and reconciliation; and respond to emergencies. LWR is headquartered in Baltimore, Md. and has worked in international development and relief since 1945.
Lutheran World Relief is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), individuals and parish groups in international relief, development, advocacy and social responsibility.
Ask Others to Advocate with LWR - Sign-Up Sheet
Initiate your advocacy efforts in your home community. Ask your congregation, neighbors, family and friends to join with you in working for peace, justice and dignity for our brothers and sisters around the world by signing up to receive occasional LWR advocacy updates. Copy this resource and send filled in copies to LWR.
Join LWR's Advocacy email network.
For more information, please contact advocacy@lwr.org.
