History of the Conflict in Uganda
The beginning of the conflict, like so many places in Africa, was with the end of British colonisation. Divided without due care to the different tribes, warring factions were ruled as one. Tensions finally broke out in 1986, a military coup transferred power from the people of Northern to Southern tribes. In reaction, a brutal civil war began in Northern Uganda. The Lord's Resistance Army, set up by a spiritual guru has been trying to reclaim control off the ruling Acholi tribe. Unfortunately they achieve their aims of discrediting the government by terrorising civilians, ruthlessly and violently abusing them. Children are often those treated worse and suffer from beatings, rape and forced amputations.

The Current Situation
The UN Under-secretary General of Humanitarian Affairs, Jan Egeland, called the current situation in Northern Uganda "the world's most neglected humanitarian crisis" and "one of the biggest scandals of our generation". This is a nation where the adults are tired with war and children are abducted every day by the LRA to fuel the ever-growing need for soldiers.  These kidnapped children, many as young as 8, are forced to kill and maim their own families and friends. Desensitised and brutalised through exposure to extreme violence in the bush they are then employed in battles.  To date, more than 30,000 children have been abducted. To escape this fate, children flee to urban centres at night and have become known as 'Night Commuters'. At the peak of the conflict, the UN estimated there were 40,000 children making this journey.

GuluWalk
'GuluWalk' was inspired by stories of these night commuters. GuluWalk began in 2005 with just two people walking in sympathy every night for a month. Their aim was not to recreate the suffering, but to raise awareness of the situation in Northern Uganda.
Last year, the GuluWalk grew to the extent of having 30,000 participants worldwide in 82 cities, raising over $500,000. This year, we want to bring the GuluWalk to Israel.

Our Objectives
1 - To organise and take part in a Gulu walk (8km) in Jerusalem, with at least 100 participants
2 - To raise awareness about the civil war in Uganda. 
3 - To raise money through collections and sponsorship
4 - To create informed participants who will wish to help enforce change after the walk.

About Us
The march is being organised by Shnat Netzer, the leadership course for Progressive Jews from the diaspora.

About the Walk
The GuluWalk is an 8km walk taking place on Saturday, October 20th 2007 worldwide, and we are organising one in Jerusalem.
Date: Saturday October 20th 2007
Time: 8pm to start at 8:30 pm
Place: Starting, outside the Supreme Court, ending in Kirkat Tzion
If you would like to learn more about the conflict in Uganda, visit www.guluwalk.com.

Call Daniel Grabiner, Publicity Co-Ordinator, for more information:052-580-7118 or guluwalkisrael@gmail.com

Please join the facebook group, 'GuluWalk Jerusalem' if you are interested.

 

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