-12/3/04

The Ugandan House of Bishops last week issued a statement calling for

the immediate end to violence in Northern Uganda after the Most Revd
Henry Orombi, the Archbishop of Uganda, le

-12/3/04

The Ugandan House of Bishops last week issued a statement calling for

the immediate end to violence in Northern Uganda after the Most Revd
Henry Orombi, the Archbishop of Uganda, led the bishops on a tour of the
region to witness the situation at first hand.

The statement said that children were being forced to fight in the

18-year-old insurgency for the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and “were

dying in large numbers.” They added that the rebellion had claimed

thousands of lives, displaced a million people and spread fear

throughout the region. The LRA is a quasi-religious rebel group that

insists it wants Uganda to be governed solely by the Ten Commandments.

It is led by Joseph Kony who claims to have spiritual powers.

Referring to recent violence in Barlonyo camp, in which 200 people were

reportedly killed, the bishops’ statement said that the government of

Uganda and the LRA had to recommit themselves to dialogue and

reconciliation. They called on the Ugandan government to protect

civilians living in camps and in conflict-hit areas.

The bishops also visited Pabbo camp in Gulu district and appealed for

urgent humanitarian support from the international community saying that

the displaced people lacked basic means to support their livelihoods.
“We shall also mobilise the congregations of the Church of Uganda to
support and work with leaders in the affected areas, and the government
and the international community to find a lasting solution to the
conflict,” the bishops said.

The 15 bishops were accompanied by the General Secretary of the Uganda

Joint Christian Council (UJCC), staff of the Provincial Office and

representatives from the Church Missionary Society (CMS) and the Uganda

Christian University.

Source:ACNS

-12/3/04

The Ugandan House of Bishops last week issued a statement calling for

the immediate end to violence in Northern Uganda after the Most Revd
Henry Orombi, the Archbishop of Uganda, led the bishops on a tour of the
region to witness the situation at first hand.

The statement said that children were being forced to fight in the

18-year-old insurgency for the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and “were

dying in large numbers.” They added that the rebellion had claimed

thousands of lives, displaced a million people and spread fear

throughout the region. The LRA is a quasi-religious rebel group that

insists it wants Uganda to be governed solely by the Ten Commandments.

It is led by Joseph Kony who claims to have spiritual powers.

Referring to recent violence in Barlonyo camp, in which 200 people were

reportedly killed, the bishops’ statement said that the government of

Uganda and the LRA had to recommit themselves to dialogue and

reconciliation. They called on the Ugandan government to protect

civilians living in camps and in conflict-hit areas.

The bishops also visited Pabbo camp in Gulu district and appealed for

urgent humanitarian support from the international community saying that

the displaced people lacked basic means to support their livelihoods.
“We shall also mobilise the congregations of the Church of Uganda to
support and work with leaders in the affected areas, and the government
and the international community to find a lasting solution to the
conflict,” the bishops said.

The 15 bishops were accompanied by the General Secretary of the Uganda

Joint Christian Council (UJCC), staff of the Provincial Office and

representatives from the Church Missionary Society (CMS) and the Uganda

Christian University.

Source:ACNS