Since 1994, the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), has kidnapped 8,000
children. Ninety percent of LRA soldiers are abducted children. Girls are forced into
marriages with their captors and are sexually abused. Of those few girls who escaped,
nearly 100% are suffering from a sexually transmitted disease, and face the social stigma
of rape. The Lord’s Resistance Army is fighting against the Uganda government and the
Sudanese People's Liberation Army (SPLA). Sudanese authorities have overlooked atrocities
committed against the children and allowed the LRA to have bases in Sudanese territory.
("Uganda: Stolen children, stolen lives," Amnesty International Index: AFR
February 1997)
The Lord’s Resistance Army of Uganda has abducted as many as 10,000 boys and girls
in the past two years (United States officials, Roy Gutman, "Sex-Slave Trade in
Uganda," Associated Press, 13 December 1997)
Young girls are increasingly being rushed into marriage in Uganda to avoid abduction by
the Lord’s Resistance Army. Marriage is now regarded as way to avoid abduction-you
may be raped, but the chances are you will be left home. (James Ocaya resident of Gulu
Uganda, Tom Gawata-Tegulle, "Girls Rush Into Marriage to Escape Rebel
Abduction," People Newspaper, 22 July 1997)