Abducted by the LRA as a teen, he now turns to faith to heal his trauma

More than 2,000 former captives, combatants, and family members of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) gathered in Lira City, northern Uganda, on Sept. 12 for a prayer service focused on healing, forgiveness, and reconciliation. The Anglican Diocese of Lango organized the event in partnership with LRA returnees to address the complex legacies of the conflict.

The gathering brought together individuals who were abducted as children, forced to fight, or compelled to marry warlords. Many returnees struggle with the trauma of what they experienced and the guilt of actions they were forced to commit, such as attacking villages. Some participants also face difficulty reintegrating into communities that view them as perpetrators rather than victims.

One 40-year-old man, who requested anonymity due to fear of retaliation, shared that he was abducted at age 17, witnessed the deaths of his parents, and lost contact with his sister. He noted that while some were forced to kill, many were also victims of the violence. Another returnee stated that the gathering provided a crucial opportunity to share stories and seek reconciliation.