On SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 2ND 2006, in a special northern Uganda forum that commenced with a keynote presentation by former United National Under Secretary General Olara A. Otunnu, uNight executive director, Daniella L. Boston, addressed the audience calling for a international and domestic constituency to speak out on behalf of the victims of northern Uganda's war:

... Northern Uganda simply does not get the humanitarian aid, the media exposure, or induce the moral outrage associated with other catastrophes. Some would argue that the Western media and public simply don’t care about Africa. However, as the outcry over Darfur illustrates, this is clearly not the case. So what is so peculiar about northern Uganda? What distinguishes people in northern Uganda from the victims of the Tsunami, Darfur or the war in Iraq is that they lack an effective constituency to speak up for them. The time has come for us to help these thousands of lost children reclaim their future. uNight: For the Children of Uganda, a non-profit organization, was created precisely to do just this. It is uNight’s job - it is our job - to bear witness on behalf of these children.

...In light of the harrowing statistics, ask yourselves about the validity of the claim that Uganda is a "success story." In 2000, in central Uganda, the percentage of the population living in absolute poverty was 20%; whereas in the North, 66% live below the absolute poverty line. What does it say about a nation, your nation, to wax lyrical about its twenty years of peace and prosperity when, for all this time, a third of the country lies in chaos? The rich culture of Acholiland lies in tatters. The North needs help – your help – to rebuild, so that the future of two generations of children is not lost.

...The war in northern Uganda may be drawing to a close, but the real battle against destruction and despair has only just begun. According to the figures in a recent UN report, 90% of deaths in northern Uganda have occurred due to conditions in the camps, while less than 9% has been a result of the actions of the LRA. Therefore, the need for massive reconstruction and development of the North is urgent and critical.

...Let us be thankful for the cessation of hostilities agreed to by the LRA and UPDF this week in Juba. In northern Uganda far too much blood has been spilt and unfathomable atrocities have been committed by both sides. Let us pray for the successful completion of the peace talks. But let us not pause.

...Read the Full Transcript of the Speech.

...View the uNight Slideshow used in conjunction with the speech.



Archives
May 2006 |  June 2006 |  August 2006 |  September 2006 |