The project supported by the foundations is intervening in a crucial historical moment for the country.

Beginning in the 1980s, guerrilla warfare headed by the rebel movement called the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) has created a grave situation of instability in the northern districts. Since 1987, the rebels led by Joseph Kony have tried to take power through military actions against the government and the national army and have carried out attacks on the civilian population. It is estimated that, to date, the LRA has killed more than 100,000 people.

The use of child soldiers by the LRA, moreover, has aroused international indignation: at least 40,000 boys and girls have been kidnapped and forced to join the rebels’ ranks.

The duration of the conflict has had disastrous consequences on the economy of northern Uganda, especially in the districts most battered by the war: Gulu, Kitgum, Pader, Amuru, and Lira.

In 2006, paths of mediation and peace agreements were opened; the process is not yet complete, but in any case it has been able to offer greater stability and a concrete opportunity for the displaced to leave the camps and return home.

In this delicate phase, to support a re-entry that guarantees satisfactory living conditions and restores long-term essential services, a co-planning process was set up which has led the foundations and their NGO partners to intervene actively with integrated responses to the needs of the population and actions aimed at the rebirth and revitalization of business.