By Henry Mukasa

The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) should unconditionally release children under captivity, Save the Children, an international agency, has demanded.

“It’s very important that we put more pressure on the LRA despite the stalling of the peace talks,” said John Reinstein, the deputy country director.

“Over 5,000 children are missing in northern Uganda. But realistically, we expect 1,500 children to come back. We call for the immediate and unconditional release of children in LRA captivity.”

He was speaking during the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the agency and the defence ministry in Mbuya, Kampala last Thursday.

The pact, through which the army will jointly ensure protection of children and adherence to local and international laws, was signed by Reinstein and defence state minister Ruth Nankabirwa.

Nankabirwa noted that the insurgency in the North made children targets of the LRA rebels.

She said abduction and conscription into rebel forces had put the children under “emotional distress” as they were forced to witness “psychologically wounding events.”

“This is a violation of human rights and the Constitution. Girls face sexual abuse because they are made wives of rebel commanders. They become susceptible to STDs, including HIV, delivery in dangerous conditions besides the psychological trauma.”

Nankabirwa said the UPDF was aware of children’s rights and that soldiers had instructions not to confront child rebels.