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Re. Rape in Uganda

Emily Wax reported on the suffering of thousands of children in northern Uganda ["In Uganda, Terror Forces Children's Nightly Flight," front page, Feb. 13]. I would add after recently visiting the area that girls also are being raped by government soldiers and boys with guns as they travel to Kitgum, a district to the east of Gulu. Not enough is being done to protect these night commuters on their way to Kitgum or at sleeping sites. Too often, children who have been raped have nowhere to go for medical or emotional support. Few are tested for HIV-AIDS.

The Ugandan government needs to investigate rape cases involving government soldiers. Human rights organizations need to collaborate with young people to ensure their privacy and confidence during these proceedings. Further, government and U.N. agencies need to take a stronger leadership role to coordinate protection and assistance efforts for the 50,000 night commuters in addition to the 1.4 million internally displaced in Uganda, most of whom are children and adolescents.

Matthew D. Emry
Project Manager, Children and Adolescents Project
Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children