End Northern War, Mirren Tells Govt
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The Monitor (Kampala)
December 7, 2004
Posted to the web December 7, 2004
Mercy Nalugo & Jane Nafula
Kampala
Celebrated British Hollywood actress, Ms Dame Helen Mirren, has called for immediate intervention of the international communities and the government to end the Kony war.
" I don't have an idea of the scale of the unfolding crisis. This war has been forgotten by the world .It is a war that has specifically targeted children who are paying the greatest price," Mirren said.
She was addressing a press conference at Speke Hotel on Saturday. Mirren said all sides need to take brave steps toward ending the war.
Mirren, 59, has been in Uganda on the invitation of Oxfam Great Britain and the Civil Society Network for Peace in Northern Uganda (CSOPNU). She ended her tour of the region on Friday.
She visited Internally Displaced Persons in Kitgum camps and met former abductees, peace campaigners, and night commuters.
"The war has gone on for too long and unfortunately, it is not yet over. The people I met are still living every day without any protection. Children are still too scared to sleep at home," Mirren said.
She left on Sunday, but said she would meet parliamentarians in Britain to discuss a peaceful solution to the war.
The chairperson of CSOPNU and National Programme Coordinator of Uganda Child Rights Network, Ms Stella Odongo, said the social welfare given to the displaced people should go beyond what organisations provide.
She said the northern war should not be considered as a small internal issue which Uganda can deal with single handedly.
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The Oxfam Country Programme Manager, Mr Emma Naylor, described the war as a rebellion with no clear agenda.
The 18-year-old war has left many lives lost and a lot of property destroyed.
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