Two films presented on the UNCW campus gave viewers a chance to see and do something about the problems facing Ugandan citizens.

Monday, March 27, the Invisible Children organization presented a film entitled “Invisible Children.” The movie chronicled the journey of three college students to Uganda, where they came across the devastation of a 20-year civil war and children forced to sleep in hospital basements every night. After returning home, the students started the Invisible Children organization. Currently, six people from San Diego are touring the United States with the organization, showing the film and raising money to help the children in Uganda.

After the film, volunteers said the showing in Kenan Auditorium was the largest they’ve had on their tour.

Ashley Beard, a volunteer with the Invisible Children organization, said, “I definitely recommend (college students) getting involved. We just really encourage the youth of America to rise up against the atrocities. Don’t be blind to these things any longer. We like to tell everyone to get out of the American bubble and do more than the average person. I think we all get so consumed in it and don’t really take advantage of the opportunities that we have. We have a voice, and those children don’t.”

Thursday, March 30, a film called “Gulu Stories” was shown. Rex Miller, a local filmmaker, traveled to Gulu, Uganda. He filmed the lives of the Ugandan citizens living in refugee camps in their own country. The film told the story of eight women who walked more than a kilometer outside the camp to garden and were attacked by the rebel group. The women’s hands, mouths and ears were cut off. It also showed the children who walk to safe places to sleep every night, called night commuters.

Due to technical difficulties, the film was stopped partway through. Another showing is planned but the date has not been set yet.

After the film ended, there was a question and answer session with Miller, Reverend Macleord Baker Ochola II, former Bishop of Northern Uganda, George Piwang-Jalobo, former citizen and researcher in Uganda, and Daniella Boston, co-founder and executive director of uNight, an organization that helps the night commuters.

Rev. Ochola shared the story of how his daughter committed suicide after being raped by rebels. Ten years later, his wife was killed when a landmine placed by the rebels exploded. He now lives in the United States.

“I think maybe the students here can talk to people in Northern Uganda and explain themselves,” he said. “Because, you see, these are part of humanity. And when you see yourselves as one of the children who are dying in North Africa, then you have that connection. And it is that connective-ness that will help you relate.”

Piwang-Jalobo shared the story of his cousin’s daughter, Louiza Akunu. Louiza was abducted in 1996 by rebels and forced to be a sex-slave. She was killed in July, 2004, and her body was left without burial on the side of the road in Southern Sudan.

All four encouraged students to get involved. They encouraged students to show support for the citizens of Uganda but also to pressure the United States government to help. Students were urged to write letters to their congressmen. Boston also encouraged students to set up a local chapter of uNight.

The rebel group in Uganda, the Lord’s Resistance Army, was founded by Alice Lakwana. She claimed to have special communication with God. Eventually the group was taken over by Joseph Kony, who is the current leader. Members claim to have special favor with God and to be doing his will.

The LRA routinely kidnaps children between the ages of 5 and 13 and forces them to be child soldiers. Often these soldiers must return to their villages and kill their friends and relatives. To avoid abduction, children living in villages in Uganda will walk miles to the closest town every night. There they will sleep in church and hospital basements or in shelters. They awaken at dawn the next morning and walk home again.

Adults in Uganda live in fear of being attacked by the LRA, which often means being attacked by their own children. Some have relocated to refugee camps. There is no room to garden in the camps, which is many citizens’ main source of income.

The United States provides $3 million per year in aide to the Ugandan government, which accounts for over 50 percent of the Ugandan budget. However, the government is not held accountable for its spending, and the money often disappears into the pockets of government officials or is paid to non-existent soldiers.

The Invisible Children organization is planning a walk to raise awareness of the Invisible Children on Saturday, April 29. Participants will meet at Warwick and walk to the Gazebo, where they will spend the night. Interested students can sign up at invisiblechildren.com.