President Yowerri Museveni 
c/o Permanent Mission of Uganda to the United Nations Uganda House 
336 East 45th Street 
New York, N.Y. 10017   USA 
  
Dear President Museveni:

I recently learned of the horror that is taking place in northern Uganda, where thousands of
Ugandan boys and girls have been stolen by the rebel Lord's Resistance Army, and forced to
become rebel soldiers and sexual slaves.   While I appreciate that the LRA is directly responsible
for the abduction, torture, rape and killing of these children, the Ugandan government also has
responsibilities to these children.  In addition to protecting children from abductions, the Ugandan
government should take all possible steps to minimize child casualties when fighting the LRA, to
avoid death and injury of innocent child captives.  I am alarmed by reports that unarmed captive
children have been injured and killed during UPDF attacks from the air and on the ground. 
Further, the government is obligated to provide for the psychological recovery and social
reintegration of former child captives.  It is this last issue which I would like to address here in
further detail because this is an area in which there's clearly and easily more that your government
can do. 

I understand that against all odds, thousands of abducted Ugandan children have managed to
escape from rebel captivity, and have made their way home from the battle front.  To my
knowledge the Ugandan government has no program in place to provide for the recovery and
reintegration of these children, whose needs are great.  It appears that the Ugandan government is
relying almost exclusively on the work of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and UNICEF
to provide children with support.  This falls far short of the government's obligation.  The future
of former abducted children is desperately bleak without government leadership and long term
support. 

Upon their return home, former captive children find their families displaced, unlocatable, dead, or
fearful of having the children return home.  After spending a brief period in one of two NGO-run
trauma centers, many child returnees must move on and find their owns means of support and
shelter.  Many do not know where they will go from there, or how they will support themselves
on their own.  Many express a desire to go to school but accept with resignation that an education
is simply beyond their means.    Former child captives urgently need appropriate medical and
psycho-social care and counseling.  Their families need to be found and reunited with them where
possible, and given the support necessary to rebuild their life as a family.  Communities need to be
educated and sensitized to the needs of former child captives, so that children will be accepted and
looked outfox by others.  Children need to be provided with education or skills training, and a
viable means of support and care, particularly where they remain separated from their families.  







I appeal to the Ugandan government to do more to help former child captives resume meaningful
lives.  They are in need of and deserve greater support and protection, after having suffered so
much.

Sincerely yours,