Dynamics of Captivity and Post Captivity Experiences and Implication for Social Reintegration of the Formerly Abducted Young Mothers in Kitgum District, Northern Uganda
Loading...
Date
2022
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of African Interdisciplinary Studies
Abstract
Uganda’s two decades insurgency (1986-2006) in Northern Uganda between the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government and rebels under Joseph Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) has seen forceful conscription of children in the rebel’s army among whom were girls. The girls were either raped or forced to become wives of LRA rebels and bore children during captivity and later returned to Uganda with these children. During captivity, they were not only forced to commit horrendous acts against their own communities but were also sexually exploited by the rebels and became mothers at a tender age. In this paper these girls are referred to as the formerly abducted young mothers (FAYMs). Upon return, despite many efforts from many actors, their social reintegration is still problematic. In this paper, we examine how captivity and return experiences shaped the FAYMs long term social reintegration in Kitgum district. We have relied on their individual narratives and those of the community members and key informant interviews from local leaders and social workers (Research Note: Please note that all names used to represent respondents are pseudo names). Findings show that exposure to horrific events in captivity, and negative perception by communities to which they returned have had physical, emotional and psychological impacts that impair FAYMs’ association with their communities and their social reintegration.
Description
Keywords
Formerly abducted young mothers, Captivity experiences, Social reintegration
Citation
Mlahagwa, W & Muriisa, R. K. (2022). Dynamics of Captivity and Post Captivity Experiences and Implication for Social Reintegration of the Formerly Abducted Young Mothers in Kitgum District, Northern Uganda. Journal of African Interdisciplinary Studies, 6(11), 5 – 31