Life after Kony

Life after Kony

Life after Kony or how I often called it "silence of guns" is a long-term project about the devastation and aftermath of the events surrounding the atrocities committed by Kony (LRA, Lord´s Resistance Army). More than 100,000 people were severely affected by this civil and brutal war in Northern Uganda from 1987-2006 and nearly two million were forced to seek refuge in displacement camps. A former Catholic altar boy from northern Uganda, Joseph Kony claims that his LRA movement has been fighting to install a government in Uganda based on the Biblical 10 Commandments. But his rebels now terrorize large swathes of the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and the Central African Republic, communities live with the constant and paralyzing fear that their children will be abducted, and either killed or transformed into killers. From 1987-2006 thousands were brutally killed, family members were lost and misplaced. More than 10,000 survivors are still waiting and hoping for justice against those who committed murder and rape during the insurgency. Years of abductions, where children were forced to kill their own parents or friends in brutal initiations, has left the group both feared and hated. The International Criminal Court in The Hague has indicted their leader and self-styled messiah for crimes against humanity. African union troops are trying to hunt them down with the help of US Special Forces soldiers. Most victims feel that government failed to protect them and that no real compensation and repairs took place, knowing that no money of the world can repair the physical and mental damages. Many promises have been made by registration campaigns of them, mostly before special events like elections.
 

by Peter Bauza

Life after Kony or how I often called it "silence of guns" is a long-term project about the devastation and aftermath of the events surrounding the atrocities committed by Kony (LRA, Lord´s Resistance Army). More than 100,000 people were severely affected by this civil and brutal war in Northern Uganda from 1987-2006 and nearly two million were forced to seek refuge in displacement camps. A former Catholic altar boy from northern Uganda, Joseph Kony claims that his LRA movement has been fighting to install a government in Uganda based on the Biblical 10 Commandments. But his rebels now terrorize large swathes of the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and the Central African Republic, communities live with the constant and paralyzing fear that their children will be abducted, and either killed or transformed into killers. From 1987-2006 thousands were brutally killed, family members were lost and misplaced. More than 10,000 survivors are still waiting and hoping for justice against those who committed murder and rape during the insurgency. Years of abductions, where children were forced to kill their own parents or friends in brutal initiations, has left the group both feared and hated. The International Criminal Court in The Hague has indicted their leader and self-styled messiah for crimes against humanity. African union troops are trying to hunt them down with the help of US Special Forces soldiers. Most victims feel that government failed to protect them and that no real compensation and repairs took place, knowing that no money of the world can repair the physical and mental damages. Many promises have been made by registration campaigns of them, mostly before special events like elections.
 

War Victim holding a journal stating that they got help. As per the victims little has been done and that government failed to protect them. Born Again Paster and former classmate of Kony in an abandoned refugee camp. Nekolina, 61, widow.  On 24.8.2003 during an ambush at her homestead, her husband and the only 3 sons got butchered to death. Then she was mutilated and speared by a bayonet. Butchered war victim Okello is married with 4 children. During war 2 brothers were killed and parents passed on during refugee camp times. Margret, 32, is now widow with 5 children. In 2005, 8 month pregnant Margret, co-wife and their neighbors while digging were abducted by LRA rebels and taken into the bush, killing one by by one. She survived because of the premonition fears of the rebels about what will befall their pregnant wives. Nevertheless they decided to mutilate her and thrown on to the dead bodies. Bush fire in Northern Uganda Consi, 45, married with 7 children lost relatives during the war. His right hand was cut off as a way of disciplinary action by rebels in 1991 together with 2 village mates. Karamela, 56, widowed. She was attacked in January 2000 by rebels and her right leg was chopped off with a machete. Her husband was also killed by rebels. Later she got involved in a landmine blast in 2001. Mary, 60, widow mother to 6 children is since 2004 a war victim when she got involved in a land-mine blast and lost her leg. Father, brother and a nephew were killed during the war. Sandi and her friend. The young Sande lives still with a bullet in her chest. She got shoot during crossfires between the official UPDF troops and the rebels. Consi, 45, married with 7 children lost relatives during the war. His right hand was cut off as a way of disciplinary action by rebels in 1991 together with 2 village mates. Photo for the registration campaign for financial help during the presidential elections. Belongings of a war victim in the northern of Uganda. Sunday, 20, lost both parents. She had never a chance to attend a school. In 2004 she got shoot by UPDF during crossfires with rebels. Margret, 32, is now widow with 5 children. In 2005, 8 month pregnant Margret, co-wife and their neighbors while digging were abducted by LRA rebels and taken into the bush, killing one by by one. She survived because of the premonition fears of the rebels about what will befall their pregnant wives. Nevertheless they decided to mutilate her and thrown on to the dead bodies. Pauline, 58 and widow. Rebels killed her husband and village local councilor on  the 6.8.1998 while sleeping at their homestead.  She got a land-mine blast traveling home from Gulu on 5.10.1996. Christine, 69 and widow sitting on a bank with one son. LRA rebels killed her husband and 3 children, butchered her, cutting lips in1991 after capturing the entire village. They accused them having been spies. Presently her sole survival is a small eating-place in a ram shackled building in a small village. Painting of War Victims Lukodi Memorial Place (Lukodi Massacre in 2004). Rosalba, 65 is divorced because of being handicapped through landmines. She is taking care of 5 kids and 3 grandchildren. One of her sons was found tied up with a crashed head. Injured war victim near by Gulu, Uganda Geofrey, 25 is single. He is the son of very thick mother. His father was killed at war. He was injured at the age of 13 years by a landmine whilst running away from rebels that were attacking with grenades. War victim praying for forgiveness. Helen, 67 and widow is taking care of 4 grandchildren. She was butchered by rebels on the mouth and both ears in October 1991. War Victim Lukodi Memorial Place (Lukodi Massacre in 2004). Former Rail Station in the Northern of Uganda bombed during the Ugandan LRA war. Wall where many people got killed by LRA rebels in the North of Uganda. Many bullet impacts are still to be seen.