Headlines in the news

There's been some rather disturbing stories in the news over the past few months. It appears that child sacrifices are on the rise in Uganda. Yep, that's right I said child sacrifices. Hard to believe that a such a thing happens in this day and age, but it's true. A few weeks ago a Ugandan businessman was arrested for having a young boy sacrificed in hopes of bringing him good luck with the office building he was constructing.
On boxing day three men, one of them an uncle were arrested for the murder and sacrifice of a 12 year old boy. One of the men, a 'witchdoctor' ordered the sacrifice which included the young boy and the body of a wealthy man who was previously deceased and whose body was dug up by the other two men. The 'witchdoctor' apparently agreed to pay the other two men 2million Ugandan Shillings, but they only received 200,000Ugsh ($100). The uncle of the sacrificed boy received $25 out of the $100 for giving up his nephew. Before the men were caught by police the people of the community found the men and beat them until the police arrived.
Several parents in the slum where I work have recently pierced at least one of their children's ears. Apparently once the skin of a child has been pierced they are no longer at risk of being sacrificed. The same goes with circumcision for boys. Don't really know what else to comment on about that, except to say that it is truly sad that innocent children are losing their lives.

In other news some of you may have heard that the government of Uganda along with troops from the DR Congo, and the SPLA in South Sudan have resumed attacks on Joseph Kony and his Lord's Resistance Army the rebel group that has caused chaos in northern Uganda for over 20 years. After the LRA failed to sign yet another peace agreement the government had enough. Kony and his troops (many of whom are child soldiers) are currently stationed along the DR Congo border and South Sudan. Since the launch of the new offensive that began just before Christmas the government and its allies have apparently taken control of a few of the rebel camps displacing most of the rebels and killing a handful. Sadly, the rebels have gone on a killing spree as they flee the government raids killing 190 people in DR Congo and South Sudan. Reportedly 20 children have been abducted by the LRA in the attacks. Despite the offensive supported by the three governments, they have been unable to find and capture Kony or other top LRA members.
Patrons I shared the public transit system with the other day expressed their skepticism as to whether or not the government offensive was actually happening or if it was just propaganda. Others thought that Kony and the LRA were being tipped off by government forces or someone on the inside as an explanation to why he hasn't been caught yet. They feel the government benefits by having the LRA as an enemy to attract international funds. Either way, the people of northern Uganda that were starting to return to their homes after spending years in camps are again apprehensive at the thought of going back to their villages for fear of violence.

So that's where things are at with the headlines here in Uganda....

later,

matt