Who is the LRA?

The LRA is a violent group of extremists stationed in Uganda, Africa and is responsible for Uganda's longest running war. For 25 years, the group has terrorized, raided, and destroyed villages and towns in Uganda, and is now moving into the Congo to do the same.

It all started when a man named Joseph Kony, who believed it was his duty to take control of the Ugandan government, gathered a group of followers and led them to believe that God was instructing him to lead the country. However, Kony's plan backfired when, little by little, he began to lose the support of his followers. It was then that Kony decided to take the duty into his own hands and begin to recruit an army to help him fight for what was "rightfully his". He began with a small group of adults who listened to and agreed with what he had to say. Then, the raids began.

Kony's intent was to have his followers destroy each village in which they stopped, but not without gaining something first. He had realized the easiest, yet most atrocious way to gain control--to kidnap and recruit young children into his army. Because children are easily influenced, Kony figured that this would be the fastest and most effective way to build his army. He was right.

At each stop, Kony and his army would set houses on fire, mutilate those who lived there, and take children as young as 5 years old hostage. He then instructed the children that they were to fight alongside him and his army if they wanted to live. He murdered their parents right before their eyes in order to desensitize them and teach them that they would end up the same if they disobeyed him. The boys were then trained to use artillery to kill. The girls taken for sex slaves, chosen by each commander. Their innocence was snatched from them and they have become victims in a war that does not belong to them.

This is still going on at the current moment. In the time it took you to read this, 4 children have been abducted and even more have been killed or mutilated. There is no reason to let this go on. We must take a stand to stop the genocide taking place in Uganda and all of Africa.

Please visit: www.invisiblechildren.com for info on what you can do to get involved.

Visit www.lracrisistracker.com for info on current whereabouts of the LRA anup to date information on the abductions taking place.

This cannot go on any longer. Take a stand against genocide and make your voice be heard.