History of the conflict
Joseph Kony, leader of the LRA and wanted for crimes against humanity by the ICC.Since colonial times, a divide has formed between the economies of the North of Uganda and the South. After independence, the South became developed, its people educated, while the North remained largely a agricultural economy.
After Yoweri Museveni was elected in the 1980s, this rift between North and South became more prominent. The North started up a campaign to overthrow Museveni's government but failed.
It was in the aftermath of this conflict that in 1987 the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) was formed by Joseph Kony as the successor to the group Holy Spirit Movement. Their aim: to rule Uganda according to the Biblical Ten Commandments. Kony has also stated that he is fighting for the rights of Uganda’s Acholi people, his people, against discrimination by the government.
Since its inception, the LRA has been fighting the Ugandan government's army the UPDF. Tactics used by both sides throughout the conflict have included murder, rape, mutilation and kidnapping of hundreds and thousands of people across Uganda, South Sudan, Central African Republic, and Democratic Republic of Congo. The LRA are notorious for kidnapping children and forcing them to become rebel fighters or sex slaves. Since October 2006 Kony has been on the International Criminal Court's (ICC) most wanted list for crimes against humanity and war. Attempts to set up dialogue between him and the Ugandan government have continually failed.
What has been the effect on civilians?
The LRA mutilated this boys face when they attacked his village. The effect on civilians in a number of countries has been devastating. The LRA purposely attacks innocent civilians. Millions have been displaced as a result of their actions with many unable to return home and those that can have to rebuild their lives from scratch. The LRA have also targeted villages that are fertile and prosperous leaving many areas with food shortages.
Today the LRA is no longer active in Uganda, where there has not been an attack since 2006. The LRA has moved to other parts of central Africa by attacking civilians in South Sudan, Central African Republic (CAR) and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Other side of the story
The LRA's methods are shocking and brutal. However, they are not the only ones who are responsible for the conflict. Allegations have been made against Sudan's president Al Bashir for supporting and funding the group. President Museveni of Uganda has also been blamed for marginalizing the North of Uganda, allowing a group such as the LRA to form in the first place. Many blame the Ugandan army (the UPDF) for many of the atrocities which are supposedly done by the LRA. Western governments and organisations are also to blame for supporting corrupt governments and wrongly implementing development and campaigns. Most importantly, the region is rich in minerals such as gold, oil, coltan and diamonds, as well as timber like teak. It is no wonder, therefore, that the conflict has been going on for so long: the resolution will be extremely complex and political will is weak.