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People
 
  Since gaining power in 1986, President Museveni and the National Resistance Movement have promised changes to secure a more peaceful future. As a way of respecting the different groups within Uganda, Museveni restored the kingdoms of Buganda, Busoga, Toro and Bunyoro. Each kingdom has its own ancient traditions and beliefs, although people practise other religions as well. A Christian marriage ceremony can immediately follow a traditional marriage celebration, for instance.

Another important change is that more decisions are made within the country's 45 districts, not by the central government in Kampala. While this makes planning more complicated, it gives women, young people and Uganda's many ethnic groups a better chance of having their say on how the country should develop.

Child soldier
©Rex Features.
But in the north, war between government troops and the Lords Resistance Army (LRA), a rebel Christian group that operate out of Sudan, has raged for years. Caught in the crossfire and terrorised by the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) up to 500,000 people have fled their homes. 90% of the LRA are children, mostly aged between thirteen and sixteen. Many were kidnapped and forced to join the fighting.

Click hereto read more about the plight of child soldiers.

Uganda is also a refuge for people who have fled conflict in neighbouring Sudan, Congo and Rwanda. Click on the map to find out more about these conflicts.

There is hope that the conflict in northern Uganda may end soon. Sudan could withdraw its support for the LRA after the international call to stop funding of terrorist groups since September 11th 2001. Meanwhile, the Ugandan Government is trying to help rather than punish children who have escaped the LRA. Although many have committed terrible human rights abuses as soldiers, these children are victims too.

  
 
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