A Plea: "Pray for Uganda"

As we in Chicago excitedly embark upon what feels like the first weekend of spring, our friends and loved-ones abroad in Uganda endure rioting and terror. A terror that will likely leave them shaken and struggling for time to come because it bears emotional and psychological impact. This is something that our compatriots know at least second hand, because they're there to help with Ugandan recovery in the first place. The horrors those people, those children, have endured at the hands of Joseph Kony, the LRA, and institutionalized sex-slavery, is staggering. Gut wrenching.

Let's keep these folks in mind as we enjoy the fortune of living somewhere safe. Somewhere we can close our eyes and breathe deeply of this crisp, fragrant spring; for many of us it is filled with hope. New beginnings.

A friend of mine (who I'll keep anonymous until I hear back from her that it's ok to publish) works for the Purse of Hope in Bwaise, the slums of Kampala (Uganda's capital). She just sent me this email:

"Pray for Uganda..."

Hey friends and family,

I have much to update you on, so many good good and beautiful things that have been happening at Purse of Hope, but for now, I need to reach out and just ask that your prayers would be with Uganda. 

Some of you have been in the loop with the violence and rioting going on here over the past few weeks, and I know some of it has made international news.  I have been hesitant to send an update on the violence, as I don't want to alarm people, but realize the best thing is to have you all surrounding the country, the girls at purse of hope and me in prayer.  
 

Photo from the Daily Monitor

I was caught in one of the riots (tear gas, shootings, mobs, etc) in Bwaise (where I work) a couple weeks ago, and was extremely shaken up (to say the least).  Things were heated for a week and then calmed down for a little while, and now things are heating up again over the past couple days.  Today is probably the worst it's been so far.  It's hard to describe exactly what it's like to be here right now, it's not like anything I've ever experienced (obviously).   A lot of the violence is the aftermath of elections, response to inflation, etc.  It started when the government used violent force to oppose a "walk to work day" which was an effort to take a stand against the rising prices....a peaceful protest....and yet, immediately shootings and tear gas were the method the government used to control the "walk to work day".  The people have been rioting against the police and government with their own violence and things are spiraling from there.  So, the tension has been building over the last 3 weeks.  I thought it was over, but am now seeing it's continuing to build. 

Here's a pretty accurate article of the struggles happening in Uganda:  http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2011/04/201142831330647345.html

It doesn't include everything, but gives you an idea.  The scary part.....is the lack of reporting going on.  I have been an eye witness to some of the riots and know that the situation and death count is much more intense than the news is reporting.  And today.....the entire southern part of Uganda is in riots and the only place I can find any news updates is on Twitter. 

I am currently in a very safe location as well as the purse of hope girls and locked behind a gate with security, and don't intend to venture out anywhere today. 

I am coming back home very soon, and pray that things calm down between now and then. 

I will send an update very soon.  Please keep us in your prayers.

Love from Uganda,