New hope for lasting peace in Northern Uganda

Father John Felix Opio is director of Caritas Gulu, the social arm of the Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Gulu, Northern Uganda [Caritas Internationalis]

CAFOD Director Chris Bain is travelling to Gulu in Northern Uganda with Bishop John Arnold from Westminster to see how our partner Caritas Gulu is helping people re-start their lives after more than 20 years of conflict

The conflict in Northern Uganda between the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and the Government of Uganda has lasted for more than 20 years, during which time more than 26,000 people have been abducted.

At one time it was estimated 95 per cent of the population had fled their homes, and many tell stories of unimaginable brutality and cruelty - especially those abducted to be child soldiers and sex slaves.

Severe trauma

Chris Bain says: "This conflict has left people with nothing. There is a lot of work ahead of us dealing with the severe psychological trauma as a result of the senseless brutality that many, especially women and children have suffered.

"As efforts are underway to re-start the negotiations for the final stage of the peace agreement, it is crucial that all channels of dialogue remain open.

"A military solution to the conflict is not the answer to peace in the region."

The Archbishop of Gulu, John Baptist Odama, helped set up an Inter-Faith Council with Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox and Muslim faith leaders, working as an inter-faith group to promote peace against the odds.

Bishop John Arnold says: "The Catholic Church has been an important player in working to bring peace and protection to the people of Gulu."

With peace talks between the Ugandan government and the LRA inching towards a final deal, people feel encouraged to start farming and rebuilding their communities.

However they are worried that, without a final agreement, the LRA could return at anytime, so smaller, more organised settlements have been set up close to their farmlands, so they can be self-sufficient and not rely on food aid.

Chris Bain said: "CAFOD is playing a part in that confidence-building, working together with Caritas Gulu to provide communities with agricultural skills training, and providing seeds and tools.

"We are also funding the training of priests and nuns as well as lay people in trauma counselling.

"This is vital as counselling is not only for the victims of this conflict but also for the communities, who need to understand the trauma people have gone through, so they can once again begin to live in peace."

For interviews or further information, please contact – Debbie Wainwright on: 00 (44) (0) 207 095 5557 or mobile: 00 (44) (0) 7785 950 378 or email dwainwright@cafod.org.uk

For Nairobi please contact Bridget Burrows, CAFOD Communications Officer - +254 7333 89895 or email bburrows@cafod.or.ke

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