Report from Northern Uganda

I am very grateful for the work being done by the volunteers working on the RESPECT website. I can give them 100%, and it looks very nice and has a good design.

The Computer Center

We are working on continued development of the computer center and have only a few technical problems. Our biggest concern is finding funds to pay the rent.

I managed to get a LaserJet 1100, but we need color cartridges for it.

We have sent out letters to all seven schools asking for recommendations for the first students to start computer training. Primary school students will receive three weeks of training during the first term holiday. Secondary school students will receive their training during evening hours.

The Community

The condition of the communities in the Internally Displaced Person Camps (IDPCs) is not very good. There is not much change in the security situation in the entire region. The main problem facing the communities is a lack of food. The World Food Programme (WFP) has reported they are running short of food.

Soldiers from the Ugandan Peoples Defense Force (UPDF) are inside Sudan trying to get the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) out of their bases in southern Sudan. We have no hope of them being in Sudan. The LRA is still active within many areas inside Uganda. Their killing and abducting innocence people continues. This is why there is no hope that the mission of the UPDF into Sudan will ever stop the suffering of people in the Acholi region.

In one of the IDP camps in Kitgum Matidi, in Kitgum district, ten women were killed when they attempted to go back to their village to look for food. Lying beside them were two young children nursing from the dead mothers. what will the future of these innocent children be like?

The Students in RESPECT

Listed below is the latest information on RESPECT students who have been abducted by LRA rebels. For those who have not returned, we don't know if they are alive or not.

Still in captivity

1. Lotoo Olero P.4 13 years
2. Okot Patrick P.6
3. Lonyera Denis P.4
4. Pactoo Can- Ogura P.4 14 years old
5. Samuel Barker Toolit P.5
6. Okeny David P.5
7. Omoo Patrick P.5
8. Amone Nixson P.5
9. Okwera Severiono P.5
10. Orach Solomon P.6
11. Obowoya Vincent P.6
12. Otema Sisto P.7
13. Akech James P.7

Returned

1. Kidega Patrick S.2
2. Arobo Jimmy P.7
3. Aguta Sebii P.4
4. Abalo P.6

Dead

1. Aiyo Susan P.5 14 years
2. Olara Odur P.7

Since we started the RESPECT program, we have lost four students at the hands of the rebels. May their Souls rest in peace.

We are calling on the international community to put pressure on both the LRA and the government of Uganda to come to the table to end the differences between them through peaceful means.

When elephants are fighting, the grass suffers

Calling For Peace in Acholi Land
Tom Fred Obonyo
RESPECT Coordinator
Northern Uganda