Disclaimer: My perspective on the war in Northern Uganda and Central Africa represents my personal experiences and opinions, not those of all survivors or victims. I’ve noticed some harsh comments on Twitter regarding my stance on KONY2012. If you’re interested in my perspective, please read on. Otherwise, let’s respect each other’s views. And no, don’t ask why I haven’t personally gone after Kony or how I plan to stop him—I am a civilian working toward social change and reconciliation in Uganda by promoting technology, information access, and human rights advocacy.

The first time I saw Joseph Kony’s photo in a Ugandan newspaper, it left a lasting impact. His image—with dreadlocks and army fatigues—has been etched into my memory. Over time, the reports of his atrocities, including abductions, turning children into soldiers, and brutal violence, only solidified the knowledge of his heinous crimes. While Kony himself has denied some allegations, blaming Uganda’s military, his actions have darkened any reputation he might have once had.

If you’ve seen the KONY2012 video or heard about it, you know it’s gone viral, with millions of views within days. The campaign, led by Invisible Children’s co-founder Jason Russell, aims to make Kony “famous” to gain support for his capture.

Key facts about Joseph Kony:

• A warlord and the leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), Kony has committed horrific crimes.
• He was indicted by the International Criminal Court in 2005.
• For over 26 years, Kony abducted and conscripted children as soldiers in Northern Uganda.
• After facing pressure from the Ugandan army and a U.S.-backed operation, Kony and the LRA left Uganda around 2008, likely hiding in the jungles of Congo or South Sudan.

Why I’m critical:

While I detest Joseph Kony and the LRA, I have reservations about Invisible Children’s approach. Peace and reconciliation—not war—are crucial to rebuilding Northern Uganda. I found it concerning to see photos of Jason Russell with weapons alongside the SPLA, which gives a militaristic image to human rights work. Activists usually work with tools of advocacy, not arms.

Invisible Children’s campaign seems focused on U.S. intervention rather than supporting regional collaboration to apprehend Kony. This leaves a gap, perpetuating the notion that Africa needs Western aid to solve its issues. While support is welcome, Africans want to be actively involved in addressing their own challenges. Although Africa faces obstacles, we’ve repeatedly shown our capacity for sustainable solutions. Local voices and efforts to end the LRA’s violence in Northern Uganda should be acknowledged and empowered.

The KONY2012 video suggests that public pressure led to the U.S. sending military advisors to Central Africa. However, this downplays the U.S. financial support to the Ugandan government since 2008. As a Ugandan, I see KONY2012 as a misrepresentation of Ugandan and Central African voices.

A Ugandan friend once remarked that Uganda’s forces fought Kony’s LRA for 20 years without high-tech resources and succeeded in driving him out. These soldiers are the real heroes, yet their contributions often go unnoticed. It’s frustrating that only after U.S. involvement did the world show widespread interest.

The Northern Ugandan communities have experienced immense suffering and are striving for a fresh start grounded in peace. Statements in the video, like “We will stop at nothing,” are provocative and could incite Kony rather than weaken him. I support Kony’s capture, but not through inflammatory language that could lead to further harm.

Campaigns like Invisible Children’s often promote their work under the banner of “helping Africans,” but many fail to gain traction. For Western countries, the #KONY2012 phenomenon reveals that focusing solely on domestic issues limits global understanding. Those engaging internationally should consider the complexity of local issues and seek meaningful involvement with affected communities. Campaigns should be assessed for their potential impact before going viral.

Lessons for Ugandans and Africans:

• “If you don’t speak for yourself, someone else will.” The KONY2012 campaign exemplifies how external figures attempt to voice African narratives, often oversimplifying complex realities.
• Foreign aid, while beneficial, has encouraged corruption due to lack of transparency. Our economies are maturing, and it’s time we shed the “begging syndrome.”
• Be cautious in dealing with international organizations and media, as they may exploit narratives, perpetuating harmful stereotypes.

At the core, Northern Uganda yearns for peace. Many former child soldiers have familial connections to survivors, making this an intensely personal struggle. I would appreciate this campaign more if Invisible Children genuinely worked alongside the Ugandan people and regional governments. I’ve visited Northern Uganda and seen the resilience and determination of its people to rebuild and start anew.

It’s essential to recognize that while NGOs need funding, using Uganda’s pain to drive donations without accurately representing the people’s voices and needs is unethical.