The Daily Monitor has today published an Op/Ed by the Uganda Conflict Action Network, co-authored by Peter Quaranto and Michael Poffenberger.

It begins, "The events of the last several weeks have made it clear that if the Government of Uganda wants to end the war in the north, it can. Its decisions over the coming week will illuminate its commitment not only to ending the war, but also to establishing a truly lasting national peace."

And ends, "The war in northern Uganda may finally be coming to an end. However, it will only be a real end to the immense suffering of people in northern Uganda if it includes them, their needs and their wishes. The Government of Uganda is poised to make a choice about the future of the country: whether it will move forward towards lasting peace and national reconciliation or whether the post-independence cycle of division and rebellion will endure." Read the editorial here.

Fr. Carlos Rodriguez, an Italian Catholic missionary priest who has worked in northern Uganda for many years, writes about Uganda-CAN in his weekly column for the Weekly Observer newspaper in Uganda. It is in the form of a satirical letter to Uganda-CAN. Read the column here.

The following is a statement released by the Mukono Diocese of Uganda:

The war conflict in the northern part of our country has put the inhabitants in a very sad state. Innocent people are affected by the atrocities and many have been traumatized beyond recovery. Women, youths and children have been adversely affected by such things as abuse, insecurity deprivation of basic social and personal needs, immorality and death.

Most particularly we decry the endless situation that created an inhuman pseudo-culture of our children. The children below 12 years have never experienced the dignity of a human being and their vocabulary for love, care and peace is indeed very crooked. They have suffered such traumas that are beyond imagination in this decade. The plight of our children is a time bomb for not only the Ugandan society but also for the whole world.

Therefore we, the people of Mukono Diocese, share our solidarity with the people of northern Uganda concerning their pain. We pray for their social redemption. We call upon all national, regional and international bodies to stand against all the inhuman practices existing in the North. We call upon the Ugandan government to stand by its proclamations of making peace a first priority in Northern Uganda. In addition to security, practical assistance in social needs like health, education, food and parenting is very essential. We support Uganda-CAN in its cause for peace in northern Uganda.

Read more about Uganda-CAN's Weekend of Prayer and Action here.

Sojourners Mail has featured an article by Peter Quaranto and Michael Poffenberger, two of the founders of Uganda-CAN, on the the horrors of the war in northern Uganda. The article, titled "Don't forget the children of northern Uganda," is a call to action to demand that governmental bodies make ending this war of two decades a foreign policy priority. Read the article here.

Thanks to the tireless work of Caitlin Rackish, Uganda-CAN's religious outreach coordinator and others, the Weekend of Prayer and Action was a success! Communities in different parts of the country learned, prayed and mobilized to call for peace in northern Uganda.

Yet, as the war wages on, so does our work. In the coming weeks, Uganda-CAN will feature new policy briefs, Op/Eds and resources, all of which can be accessed at our Web site. We will continue to organize and network for Gulu Walk Day, when on October 22, walks will happen in over 30 cities around the globe to call for peace in northern Uganda.

Carolyn Davis, editorial writer at The Philadelphia Inquirer, has published an Op/Ed, titled "Let's Not Forget the Children of Uganda," which highlights Uganda-CAN's Prayer and Action Weekend for the Children of Northern Uganda happening now!

She writes, "This weekend is a nationwide 'Prayer and Action Weekend for the Children of Northern Uganda,' an idea conceived in Philadelphia. The Washington-based Uganda Conflict Action Network has mounted a national campaign to get ministers, rabbis, imams and priests to tell their congregations about this war. Stir them with knowledge into asking the United States to lead in bringing it to an end."


Read the article here.

Today and throughout this weekend, faith communities across the country will be speaking out for the children of northern Uganda. Join Uganda-CAN in our Weekend of Prayer and Action for peace in northern Uganda!

There are three ways to get involved!

1.) Ask local religious leaders to sign the declaration against the war.
2.) Speak out and pray for the children of northern Uganda.
3.) Send a letter to your local representative telling them to care for these children.

In the last week, a lot has happened in northern Uganda. The United States committed to supporting joint Ugandan-Sudanese military operations. Large numbers of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) fled into the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Today, the deputy commander of the LRA made a request for political amnesty in the DRC.

There is hope and anxiety at what lies ahead. Our weekend of prayer and action could not be more critical.

The Daily Monitor, Uganda's largest independent newspaper, has published an article about the work of Uganda-CAN to bring the world's attention and resources to resolve the long-standing conflict in northern Uganda. It highlights our work with GuluWalk to mobilize people around the world to speak out for peace.

The article quotes Stephen Okello, Uganda-CAN's Director in Uganda. Stephen said, "We believe that children everywhere have the right to sleep in their own beds at night. For far too long, the children of northern Uganda have been denied this right."

Read the article at the Daily Monitor's Web site.

The Uganda Conflict Action Network (Uganda-CAN) will lead religious leaders and communities across the United States in a weekend of prayer and action for the children of northern Uganda. Uganda-CAN is asking religious communities to speak out, pray and mobilize to support the children of northern Uganda that have been targets of the war for nearly two decades.

“Together we are raising a chorus of voices to demand attention to this forgotten war,” said Caitlin Rackish, Uganda-CAN religious outreach coordinator. “We are asking faith leaders across the U.S. and the world to break the silence, speaking and praying in solidarity for peace with our brothers and sisters in northern Uganda.”

A recent study by the World Food Programme reports that 1,000 people are dying weekly in northern Uganda. In the wake of this report, Olara Otunnu, former-UN under-secretary general for children and armed conflict, equated the conflict in northern Uganda to “slow genocide.”

This weekend, Uganda-CAN is asking religious leaders to speak to their communities about the plight of children, while leading prayer and action towards a more peaceful future that affirms the dignity and life of those in northern Uganda. Through phone calls, letters and demonstrations, Uganda-CAN will work to demand that policymakers prioritize these children.

Beyond mobilizing their communities, Uganda-CAN, a transcontinental advocacy network, is asking religious leaders to sign a declaration condemning the war. The declaration reads, “We refuse to be silent any longer in the face of this gross assault on the integrity of God’s creation. In solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Uganda, we call for a more peaceful future that affirms the dignity and life of all. We condemn the use of child soldiers and call for a swift resolution of the conflict.”

Michael Poffenberger, advocacy director of Uganda-CAN said, “Religious communities have the power to be prophetic voices for the poor and marginalized. This weekend, we are asking religious communities to raise their prophetic voices to declare that we are our brother’s keeper in Uganda and shall speak out until the violence of war and hunger fall silent in northern Uganda.”

Learn more at the Uganda-CAN Prayer and Action Weekend page.

The Uganda Conflict Action Network (Uganda-CAN) will lead religious leaders and communities across the United States in a weekend of prayer and action for the children of northern Uganda. Uganda-CAN is asking religious communities to speak out, pray and mobilize to support the children of northern Uganda that have been targets of the war for nearly two decades.

“Together we are raising a chorus of voices to demand attention to this forgotten war,” said Caitlin Rackish, Uganda-CAN religious outreach coordinator. “We are asking faith leaders across the U.S. and the world to break the silence, speaking and praying in solidarity for peace with our brothers and sisters in northern Uganda.”

Over the last two decades, more than 30,000 children have been abducted as a result of this war, forced into soldiering and sexual slavery. Many of the girls who are abducted become pregnant and must care for their children while fighting a war they did not choose. Up to 50,000 more children are forced to walk miles nightly into towns to sleep unprotected on streets, so as to avoid being kidnapped.

A recent study by the World Food Programme reports that 1,000 people are dying weekly in northern Uganda. In the wake of this report, Olara Otunnu, former-UN under-secretary general for children and armed conflict, equated the conflict in northern Uganda to “slow genocide.”

This weekend, Uganda-CAN is asking religious leaders to speak to their communities about the plight of children, while leading prayer and action towards a more peaceful future that affirms the dignity and life of those in northern Uganda. Through phone calls, letters and demonstrations, Uganda-CAN will work to demand that policymakers prioritize these children.

“For too long, the children of northern Uganda have been forgotten and neglected by the world,” said Peter Quaranto, director of Uganda-CAN. “By our silence, we are accepting the loss of a whole generation of children.”

Beyond mobilizing their communities, Uganda-CAN, a transcontinental advocacy network, is asking religious leaders to sign a declaration condemning the war. The declaration reads, “We refuse to be silent any longer in the face of this gross assault on the integrity of God’s creation. In solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Uganda, we call for a more peaceful future that affirms the dignity and life of all. We condemn the use of child soldiers and call for a swift resolution of the conflict.”

Michael Poffenberger, advocacy director of Uganda-CAN said, “Religious communities have the power to be prophetic voices for the poor and marginalized. This weekend, we are asking religious communities to raise their prophetic voices to declare that we are our brother’s keeper in Uganda and shall speak out until the violence of war and hunger fall silent in northern Uganda.”

Learn more at the Uganda-CAN Prayer and Action Weekend page.

When Erin Larive emailed Rebekah Heacock from Uganda about the horrors of northern Uganda, Rebekah knew she had to do something. Mobilizing fellow students at the University of Kansas with the help of Uganda-CAN, Rebekah launched Kansas University for Uganda (KU4U) to raise awareness and to work for peace in the neglected, war-torn region of northern Uganda. Over the coming months, KU4U plans to host Gulu Walk Day in Lawrence, Kansas, along with a public showing in November of the documentary Invisible Children.

Yet, the sky is the limit for these passionate KU students who refuse to be silent in the face of unnecessary human suffering. They are a shining example of how people in their own communities can do their part to promote peace both locally and internationally.

Yesterday, former United Nations under-secretary for Children and Armed Conflict, Olara Otunnu equated the conflict in northern Uganda to a "slow genocide." His declaration comes following a recent World Health Organization report that 1,000 people are dying weekly in northern Uganda due to the effects of the war. This news highlights the gravity of suffering due to the war.

In light of this news about insecurity and the poor conditions of northern Uganda, the Uganda Conflict Action Network is today launching a special inquiry into the role of the Ugandan government in this crisis. The failure to protect the civilians of northern Uganda, coupled with an unwillingness to call for international help, raises concerns about the capacity and intent of the Government of Uganda (GOU).

Over the next few weeks, the Uganda-CAN Web site will feature commentaries by prominent analysts and leaders about this role of the GOU in this war. We encourage people to submit short pieces to Paul Ronan, Uganda-CAN's Conflict Analyst, at pronan@UgandaCAN.org. Select commentaries will also be posted daily.

Uganda-CAN's hope is that initiating such a forum of dialogue on this issue will help illuminate the road forward for a resolution to the longstanding war in northern Uganda. The inquiry will culminate with a Uganda-CAN special briefing.

A Uganda-CAN team made an assessment trip to northern Uganda in June, visiting sites in Gulu and Kitgum districts. The team took video footage, which is being edited and will result in a video journal this fall.

Now available, however, is an audio clip taken at a night commuter center in Gulu. The clip includes two songs, a traditional tune and the Ave Maria, sung by these children after they recite prayers and before they go to bed. The night commuter center where the songs are sung shelters more than 500 kids on most nights, and was formerly a religious training center, converted to the commuter center when the need arose.

Listen to the music now by clicking here.

Let us join the children in their pleas for an end to the violence that destroys their lives.

Working towards our goal to become a comprehensive source of information about the background, current developments, regional implications, and relevant legislation concerning the conflict in northern Uganda, we have significantly expanded the content of our website in the past several weeks. By navigating the left side-bar or clicking directly on the links below, check out our most recent additions:
-Great Lakes Region- information about the conflicts plaguing much of the Great Lakes region and policy connections between conflicts in northern Uganda and Sudan.
-Legislation- read about Uganda-CAN's policy recommendations to the US government and browse through US and UN legislation about the northern Uganda and the Great Lakes region.
-Glossary- information on key terms and actors in the conflicts in northern Uganda and Sudan.

Look for more resources coming soon!

Michael Poffenberger, Uganda-CAN's co-founder and advocacy director, spoke on Catholic Radio Weekly this weekend about his experiences and analysis of the conflict in northern Uganda. Listen to Michael by clicking here.

Stephen Okello, Uganda-CAN Director of Operations in Uganda, writes commentary on his experience of the war in northern Uganda -

A flame is burning inside me as I go to sleep. I begin to think about the children of northern Uganda who are going to spend their nights in the cold, under verandas or in open fields. I cannot stop trying to comprehend the amount of pain and suffering this war has caused so many, including innocent children.

According to a recent report, about 1000 people die per week. It is painful to think that 1000 people died last week, and yet the world just watches. This also means that by the end of this week, 1000 more people will have died from this war.

How on earth can this world continue to be hit by such conflict and respond inadequately when an entire vibrant community is slowing dying out?

Hurricane Katrina has received more coverage and humanitarian assistance in a matter of days than northern Uganda has received in years. This attention is deserved, but why is the attention not there for other mass attacks on human life? As we remember the victims of Katrina, I urge you to also remember the people of northern Uganda.

Unless something is done now to stop this situation, we are all guilty of complicity for the persistence of this situation. For almost 20 years, the government has been fighting the LRA, yet there is no end to this senseless war in sight.

My hope lies in our combined action towards a common cause. We need to stand up and tell anyone responsible in the affairs of this situation that we demand faster action towards ending the suffering of the people of northern Uganda. It is time that the people of northern Uganda left the inhumane camps and went back to their homes.

Friday's Observer, the University of Notre Dame newspaper, published an Op/Ed titled "Calling the U.S. to Take Genocide Seriously," written by Patrick Corrigan, Uganda-CAN's Great Lakes coordinator, and me. The Op/Ed criticizes the Bush Administration for failing to act after Colin Powell declared the atrocities in Darfur paramount to genocide one year ago. Yet, the Bush Administration can still contribute to bringing an end to this horror by providing support to the African Union mission, engaging Darfur peace negotiations and increasing humanitarian aid. Read the Op/Ed here.

A Senate briefing titled "Finding a Regional Approach to the Crises in Southern Sudan, Darfur, and Northern Uganda, Post John Garang" will take place this Tuesday, September 13th, from 2-3PM in SC-4, the Omaha Chamber, of the Senate Building.

The briefing, to be given by John Prendergast of International Crisis Group, Rory Anderson of World Vision, and Bridget Moix of Friends Committee on National Legislation, comes a day after a consortium of 27 non-governmental organizations will submit an advocacy letter to President Bush, State Department Officials, and Members of Congress. The letter calls for a broader approach to U.S. relations with Sudan, such that the mandate of State Department Special Envoy to Sudan Roger Winter would be expanded to include dealing with violence in northern Uganda and Darfur as part of his job.

Uganda-CAN assisted in the drafting of the letter, and Africa Faith and Justice Network, Uganda-CAN's host organization, is a signatory.

I am happy to report that signatures on the petition for peace in northern Uganda now number over 1,000. We have gained some momentum; now let's keep it going!

• Sign up for action alerts
• Tell your friends and family about Uganda-CAN
• Give a copy of the Religious Sign-On Letter for Peace in Northern Uganda to your own religious leader
• Participate in the Prayer and Action Weekend (Sep. 23-25)

At today's UNAA convention, I remarked, "In northern Uganda today, individuals and groups are taking risks and making sacrifices to help people and achieve a lasting peace. Here in North America, we are failing if we do not use all the resources and tools available to support them in their work, to give them the optimal conditions that their witness and courage may bear fruit to bring end to this longstanding nightmare. This is the task that lies before us."

Click below to read the full text of my remarks during today's Peace and Conflict Forum at the Uganda North American Association convention.

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