It’s one of the world’s longest conflicts and it’s also one of the most forgotten.
Northern Uganda has been embroiled in violence for 20 years but at last there are tentative steps towards lasting peace.
The fighting has been between the Ugandan government and rebels from the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and has claimed tens of thousands of lives and seen two million people flee their homes.
Now the two sides, who have been talking for well over a year, have signed a permanent ceasefire that will hopefully lead to a full peace treaty.
Uganda’s Sunday Vision newspaper summed up the sense of optimism with its front page splash headline `War is over – envoy.’
But three days later its sister paper The New Vision reported `LRA kills 11, abducts 27’.
So what is going on?
Murder
In a conflict lasting two decades there will be sticking points, and the main one from the rebels’ point of view is whether their leader Joseph Kony will be immune from international prosecution for war crimes.
The LRA under his leadership is accused of widespread murder, rape, mutilation and child abduction.
The International Criminal Court in The Hague has issued indictments against Mr Kony and other leaders and unless these are withdrawn, the rebels say, there can be no peace deal.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has said a possible compromise could be for Mr Kony and his co-leaders to face justice inside Uganda but nothing is settled.
Reports that Mr Kony has violated the ceasefire by going into the Central African Republic only add uncertainty to the mix.
Christiana Brown, Tearfund’s Desk Officer for Uganda, said, `We are praying the people will have hope because even though there are steps towards an agreement, people are not sure.
`It’s not like it is the first time. They keep talking about peace but it doesn’t happen.’
Orphans
Children are often the victims in civil conflicts and Uganda is no exception. Fighting has been a contributory factor behind the country’s 3.4 million orphans.
It is reckoned that during the troubles up to 20,000 youngsters were snatched from their homes, many being used as forced labour or as child soldiers.
Tearfund partners Noah’s Ark, the Diocese of Kitgum and Acet continue to work with children affected by the conflict.
They focus on children’s rights, domestic violence, HIV awareness, conflict resolution and trauma counselling for former child soldiers and other children affected by the war.
This valuable work by the local church is made possible by assistance from the global church and supporters like you.
• Please pray for a positive outcome to talks when they resume.
• Pray that progress can be made in the tightrope walking act of achieving a balance between peace and justice.
• And pray for the work of Tearfund’s partners as they help children directly affected by the violence. Pray for wisdom for our partners as they move their work away from relief to development issues.