1. The LRA
conflict
and the
Acholi
people of
Uganda
Janae Enns
Kelli Kling
Lindsay Atnikov
October 15, 2013

2. Background
 In 1987 the LRA (a rebel
Guerilla group) began to
wage a terror campaign
against the Ugandan
government, forcibly
recruiting its own people, the
Acholi tribe. Because of this a
devastating civil war broke
out in Uganda until the
peace talks were settled in
2006.

3. Background Cont…
 1987- Lords Resistance Army (LRA) was formed
 Revolutionary Terrorism
 LRA fighting to overthrow president Yoweri and
have a state built on his interpretation of the 10
commandments
 Acts of domestic terrorism
 Targets children (1987-2006) 20,000 children
abducted
 Entire Acholi population was displaced

4. Thesis
 The LRA is a direct cause of devastation to the
Acholi tribe in Uganda, creating an entirely new
phase of civil war by their abductions, displacing
cities and acts of terror, However the Ugandan
government is also to blame.

5. The Acholi People
 The Acholi people have been mainly targeted by the
LRA and the government. They find themselves in
the middle of a war between the Ugandan
government and the LRA.
They have had no human rights, and had their land
and wealth wiped out.
They are found in the North-central area of Uganda
where they have lived for several centuries, living in
areas where there is rich soil and oil resources.

6. Yoweri Museveni
 Allegedly to protect the
Acholi people from the LRA,
president Yoweri Musevini
forced millions of civilians
into IDP (Internally displaced
persons) camps throughout
this period of 20 years.
- conditions
- deaths
Not actually taking care of his
people.

7. Displacement Camps
Museveni's government forced 1.4 to 1.9 million civilians into camps where
they were to be protected by the Ugandan army. Yet the northerners living in
these camps were prone to attack by the LRA and the national army alike,
and unable to raise their own food.

8. Hundreds of thousands of Acholi have abandoned
their homes in northern Uganda for fear of being
abducted, and now live in refugee camps in
appalling conditions,

9. Orchestrated Genocide
 The Ugandan Government has been no help to the
Acholi people in the IDP camps
WHY?
- 90% of Acholi population displaced in camps
Museveni was eyeing Acholi land for mechanized
agriculture, secure oil, and other resources in
Uganda.
If they aren’t on their land, the government can
have it….?

10. Orchestrated Genocide
 DEFINITION : GENOCIDE
Acts committed with intent to destroy in whole or
in part a national, ethical, racial or religious group.
Now, think of the Acholi people:
Planned neglect, slow death, slow motion, not
broadcasted around the world, government knows
these conditions are happening, doesn't’t do
anything, no protection for the people.

11. ICC
 October 2005 International Criminal Court’s
issued arrest warrants for leaders of the rebel
Lord’s Resistance Army

12. Classification
 Ethnic / religious
Originally, Kony wanted to run Uganda by the “10
biblical commandments”. Although they had tried
to fufill and complete this goal, if you know the
bible at all, the murders his soldiers committed
broke a very important rule.
“ Though shall not Kill”

13. Peace Treaties
 2006, final peace treaty was set to be signed by end
of February
 LRA refused because of the ICC indictments
 Operation Lightning Thunder
 Christmas Massacres

15. Media Coverage
 It was not in the main headlines of the news until
2005, when the International Criminal Court issued
arrest warrants for Joseph Kony. In 2012 especially
the group Invisible Children started the “ Kony
2012” campaign, raising awareness across the
United States and Canada. The YouTube video
alone had almost 100 million views. People now
knew who Kony was, what he looked like and the
horrible things he was doing.

16. LRA Today
 Left Uganda 2008 due to Juba Peace Talks
 Still terrorize other parts of Africa
 Limited contact with one another due to increased
awareness (social media)
 Went from 1,000 to approximately 300 fighters
 Kony has still yet to be captured

17. Canada’s Involvement
 US President Barack Obama announced the deployment of 100
US Special Forces members to Uganda, to fight the LRA
in 2012.
The Ugandan Gov needs to also supply more forces to fight
the LRA
However, Canada has not taken any steps in helping.
Steps we as Canadians can take if we believe we should have
more of a role like the United States does:
WRITE to the government, try to get more radio station
in central Africa to get more information across to them, aid is
needed for the people, let them know they have someone
helping.

18. References

Lomo, Zachary. (2004). Behind the Violence: Causes, consequences, and the search for
solutions to the war in Northern Uganda. Kampala, Uganda.

Rune, Hijalmar Espeland. (2010). Forum for Development Studies: The Ugandan
Army and its war in the North. University of Oslo.

Komakech, Lyandro. (2011). Lord’s Resistance Army in Uganda. Makerere University.

Atkinson, Ronald. (2009). From Uganda to the Congo and Beyond: Pursuing the
Lord’s Resistance Army. University of South Carolina.

Otunnu, Ogenga. (1996). Causes and Consequences of the War in Acholiland. Chicago.

Pham, Phuong; Vinck, Patrick; & Stover, Eric. (2007). Abducted: The Lord's
Resistance Army and Forced Conscription in Northern Uganda. UC Berkeley: Human
Rights Center.