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High-level U.S. government pressure on all parties [is needed], because the government of Uganda has primarily relied upon a military strategy to end this conflict. Military aggression against the LRA is inflicting violence against children. I'm not saying the military doesn't have a role in this. Their primary role should be protecting children, protecting civilians.

You need to give incentive for senior LRA commanders as well as a lot of the children to come out, to see: "Oh, if I come out of the LRA, if I come out of the bush, I will have a chance to go to school. I will have enough food."

Does rehabilitation of child soldiers have a spiritual aspect?

One of the important facets of the Children of War Rehabilitation Center—part of our rehabilitation of these children—is spiritual, so they can feel the love of God and the forgiveness of God. They can begin to live a whole and productive life.

Just as the spiritual is used to oppress people, we use prayer, Bible study, and intercession to help deliver these children.

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Also posted today is

Deliver Us from Kony | Why the children of Uganda are killing one another in the name of the Lord.

SIDEBAR
Brutality Therapy | Love and art are keys to healing.

More Christianity Today articles on Uganda and the Lord's Resistance Army include:

Two Missionaries Killed in Uganda | Couple was willing to help anyone, anywhere, anytime. (March 23, 2004)

Ebola Outbreak Leads to Suspension of Church Services | Panic and terror spread like virus as infections and deaths increase. (Oct. 20, 2000)

Innocence Stolen | A paramilitary group in Uganda is abducting younger children to fill its ranks. Those who manage to escape are plagued with haunting memories. (July 13, 2000)

Under Suspicion | Following cultic deaths of 900, independent Christian groups in Uganda come under a cloud of mistrust and fear. (May 3, 2000)

The BBC has done extensive reporting on the LRA:

Profile: Uganda's LRA rebels | The Lord's Resistance Army, which has been fighting the Ugandan Government for nearly 18 years, has become know for its brutality, but the reasons for their rebellion are less well known. (February 6, 2004)

In pictures | The 'night commuters' who flee their homes each day (February 6, 2004)

Uganda's fallen child rebels | There are few things which can prepare you for the terrible reality of witnessing a "military victory" against the kidnapped child soldiers of Uganda's Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). (April 8, 2004)

Uganda's atrocious war | Uganda's rebel Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) has become synonymous with torture, abductions and killings (June 12, 2003)

Uganda army in 'rights abuses' | The Ugandan army has been accused of carrying out severe human rights abuses on the civilian population in the north of the country. (July16, 2003)

Uganda business prepares for peace | For the casual visitor, Gulu does not seem like a town at the centre of a 17-year-old war. (February 26, 2004)

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January 2006, Vol. 50, No. 1