David Livingstone: How Do You Rebuild Uganda After The Civil War?

David Livingstone Okello was abducted as a child soldier during the brutal 20 year war which virtually shut down Northern Uganda. He ultimately escaped to safety, but later returned to the war zone to support his community. After the war, most international organisations departed, leaving this beleaguered region to start over without support. The war, however, had robbed an entire generation of education, so people in their twenties and thirties are illiterate. David estimates employment in his area at under 1%. Other conflict legacies persist as well. Malnutrition continues its grip on the people. Weak medical care sees tragic, avoidable loss of life. At a deeper level, re-integration is deeply challenging. Amnesty has been granted the rebels, but they were neighbours of those mutilated and abused and, after years of trauma, it is a struggle for all to function as a united society. David is devoted to rebuilding his community.

This event was held in celebration of International Human Rights Day.