Denish - the life story of a former child soldier from Uganda - Former child soldier

Waking up from childhood nightmares The life story of former child soldier Denish

CHAPTERS

BEING ABDUCTED
SURVIVING THE BUSH
THE FATE OF THE FAMILY
ESCAPING
FIRST STEPS OF RECOVERY
AUNTIE GRACE’S SUPPORT
BACK TO THE VILLAGE
THE FUTURE
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CHAPTER

BEING ABDUCTED

Exactly at midnight it happened. Denish is taken by soldiers of the LRA, the rebel group in Northern Uganda led by Joseph Kony. Now becoming a child soldier. Denish is 13 years old.

BEING ABDUCTED

Exactly at midnight it happened. Denish is taken by soldiers of the LRA, the rebel group in Northern Uganda led by Joseph Kony. Denish is 13 years old.

Viewing time: 1:51

CHAPTER

WAR IN NORTHERN UGANDA

NORTHERN UGANDA, A WAR ZONE

It has been Africa's longest running armed conflict. Northern Uganda has been the scene of a brutal war since the mid 90's. The Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), led by Joseph Kony, fought against the Ugandan army for control over the northern part of the country. 10,000 people have been killed, nearly two million people fled. It is estimated* that hundreds of thousands of child soldiers were forced to join the fight. Denish was one of them.

* Source: https://www.hrw.org/news/2008/12/03/facts-about-child-soldiers, visited 20-03-2018

CHAPTER

SURVIVING THE BUSH

Being chased by the Uganda army, raiding villages, burning houses, kidnapping, Denish is forced to participate in day-to-day LRA business. Trying to escape is a recipe for the death penalty.

SURVIVING THE BUSH

Being chased by the Uganda army, raiding villages, burning houses, kidnapping, Denish is forced to participate in day-to-day LRA business. Trying to escape is a recipe for the death penalty.

Viewing time: 1:31

CHAPTER

THE FATE OF THE FAMILY

Denish is not the only one suffering from the LRA. "I wish I had said I did not know my sister."

THE FATE OF THE FAMILY

Denish is not the only one suffering from the LRA. "I wish I had said I did not know my sister."

Viewing time: 3:24

CHAPTER

ESCAPING

In the confusion of an army attack, Denish takes the chance. After two days without food and water he reaches a village. Trying to find out if he’s out far enough.

ESCAPING

In the confusion of an army attack, Denish takes the chance. After two days without food and water he reaches a village. Trying to find out if he's out far enough.

Viewing time: 3:26

CHAPTER

FIRST STEPS OF RECOVERY

Spending years in the bush leave deep scars. Despite the things he experienced, Denish finds a way to deal with his past. He finds a place in a project by Dutch NGO War Child.

FIRST STEPS OF RECOVERY

Spending years in the bush leave deep scars. Despite the things he experienced, Denish finds a way to deal with his past. He finds a place in a project by Dutch NGO War Child.

Viewing time: 1:54

CHAPTER

AUNTIE GRACE’S SUPPORT

One person in particular gains Denish’ trust. Auntie Grace is a social worker who takes care of the boy who had so many childhood nightmares.

AUNTIE GRACE’S SUPPORT

One person in particular gains Denish' trust. Auntie Grace is a social worker who takes care of the boy who had so many childhood nightmares.

Viewing time: 3:22

CHAPTER

BACK TO THE VILLAGE

Denish’ uncle finds out he has escaped. He hesitantly goes back to the community he grew up in. Not knowing whether he will be accepted.

BACK TO THE VILLAGE

Denis' uncle finds out he has escaped. He hesitantly goes back to the community he grew up in. Not knowing whether he will be accepted.

Viewing time: 2:20

CHAPTER

THE FUTURE

12 years from the moment Denish was abducted, he has his life back on track. "I want to be someone good".

THE FUTURE

12 years from the moment Denish was abducted, he has his life back on track. "I want to be someone good".

Viewing time: 1:50

CHAPTER

ABOUT JOSEPH KONY

The commander-in-chief of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) is wanted by the International Criminal Court since 2005. But warlord Joseph Kony is still at large. Denish saw him once. What’s his view on the mysterious rebel leader?

ABOUT JOSEPH KONY

The commander-in-chief of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) is wanted by the International Criminal Court since 2005. But warlord Joseph Kony is still at large. Denish saw him once. What's his view on the mysterious rebel leader?

Viewing time: 1:08

FULL STORY

Watch the full story of Denish

Viewing time: 19:40

About this story

This multimedia production has been made by Michiel Bles, freelance multimedia maker in close cooperation with War Child Holland. This Dutch NGO provides psychosocial support to children affected by armed conflict. Denish has been a child soldier in the civil war in Northern Uganda. He was forced to join the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) in their fight for control over the Northern part of the African country.

Denish’ interview was done February 2017. In 2017 War Child Holland closed the programme in Uganda after being active in the country for 12 years.

All footage and images are copyright protected. The music used is part of the YouTube audio library and Freemusicarchive.org, composed by the following artists: Chris Zabriskie, Huma-Huma, Julie Maxwell and Kevin MacLeod.

/ Share this with friends or colleagues

/ Michiel Bles / Freelance multimedia maker

Denish – the life story of a former child soldier from Uganda7 min read

BEING ABDUCTED

BEING ABDUCTED

Exactly at midnight it happened. Denish is taken by soldiers of the LRA, the rebel group in Northern Uganda led by Joseph Kony. Denish is 13 years old.

Viewing time: 1:51

WAR IN NORTHERN UGANDA

NORTHERN UGANDA, A WAR ZONE

* Source: https://www.hrw.org/news/2008/12/03/facts-about-child-soldiers, visited 20-03-2018

SURVIVING THE BUSH

SURVIVING THE BUSH

Being chased by the Uganda army, raiding villages, burning houses, kidnapping, Denish is forced to participate in day-to-day LRA business. Trying to escape is a recipe for the death penalty.

Viewing time: 1:31

THE FATE OF THE FAMILY

THE FATE OF THE FAMILY

Denish is not the only one suffering from the LRA. "I wish I had said I did not know my sister."

Viewing time: 3:24

ESCAPING

ESCAPING

In the confusion of an army attack, Denish takes the chance. After two days without food and water he reaches a village. Trying to find out if he's out far enough.

Viewing time: 3:26

FIRST STEPS OF RECOVERY

FIRST STEPS OF RECOVERY

Spending years in the bush leave deep scars. Despite the things he experienced, Denish finds a way to deal with his past. He finds a place in a project by Dutch NGO War Child.

Viewing time: 1:54

AUNTIE GRACE’S SUPPORT

AUNTIE GRACE’S SUPPORT

One person in particular gains Denish' trust. Auntie Grace is a social worker who takes care of the boy who had so many childhood nightmares.

Viewing time: 3:22

BACK TO THE VILLAGE

BACK TO THE VILLAGE

Denis' uncle finds out he has escaped. He hesitantly goes back to the community he grew up in. Not knowing whether he will be accepted.

Viewing time: 2:20

THE FUTURE

THE FUTURE

12 years from the moment Denish was abducted, he has his life back on track. "I want to be someone good".

Viewing time: 1:50

ABOUT JOSEPH KONY

ABOUT JOSEPH KONY

The commander-in-chief of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) is wanted by the International Criminal Court since 2005. But warlord Joseph Kony is still at large. Denish saw him once. What's his view on the mysterious rebel leader?

Viewing time: 1:08

Watch the full story of Denish

Viewing time: 19:40

/ Michiel Bles / Freelance multimedia maker

BEING ABDUCTED

BEING ABDUCTED

Exactly at midnight it happened. Denish is taken by soldiers of the LRA, the rebel group in Northern Uganda led by Joseph Kony. Denish is 13 years old. Viewing time: 1:51

WAR IN NORTHERN UGANDA

NORTHERN UGANDA, A WAR ZONE

* Source: https://www.hrw.org/news/2008/12/03/facts-about-child-soldiers, visited 20-03-2018

SURVIVING THE BUSH

SURVIVING THE BUSH

Being chased by the Uganda army, raiding villages, burning houses, kidnapping, Denish is forced to participate in day-to-day LRA business. Trying to escape is a recipe for the death penalty. Viewing time: 1:31

THE FATE OF THE FAMILY

THE FATE OF THE FAMILY

Denish is not the only one suffering from the LRA. "I wish I had said I did not know my sister."Viewing time: 3:24

ESCAPING

ESCAPING

In the confusion of an army attack, Denish takes the chance. After two days without food and water he reaches a village. Trying to find out if he's out far enough. Viewing time: 3:26

FIRST STEPS OF RECOVERY

FIRST STEPS OF RECOVERY

Spending years in the bush leave deep scars. Despite the things he experienced, Denish finds a way to deal with his past. He finds a place in a project by Dutch NGO War Child. Viewing time: 1:54

AUNTIE GRACE’S SUPPORT

AUNTIE GRACE’S SUPPORT

One person in particular gains Denish' trust. Auntie Grace is a social worker who takes care of the boy who had so many childhood nightmares. Viewing time: 3:22

BACK TO THE VILLAGE

BACK TO THE VILLAGE

Denis' uncle finds out he has escaped. He hesitantly goes back to the community he grew up in. Not knowing whether he will be accepted. Viewing time: 2:20

THE FUTURE

THE FUTURE

12 years from the moment Denish was abducted, he has his life back on track. "I want to be someone good". Viewing time: 1:50

ABOUT JOSEPH KONY

ABOUT JOSEPH KONY

The commander-in-chief of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) is wanted by the International Criminal Court since 2005. But warlord Joseph Kony is still at large. Denish saw him once. What's his view on the mysterious rebel leader? Viewing time: 1:08

Watch the full story of Denish

Viewing time: 19:40

Exactly at midnight it happened. Denish is taken by soldiers of the LRA, the rebel group in Northern Uganda led by Joseph Kony. Denish is 13 years old.

Viewing time: 1:51

Being chased by the Uganda army, raiding villages, burning houses, kidnapping, Denish is forced to participate in day-to-day LRA business. Trying to escape is a recipe for the death penalty.

Viewing time: 1:31

Denish is not the only one suffering from the LRA. "I wish I had said I did not know my sister."

Viewing time: 3:24

In the confusion of an army attack, Denish takes the chance. After two days without food and water he reaches a village. Trying to find out if he's out far enough.

Viewing time: 3:26

Spending years in the bush leave deep scars. Despite the things he experienced, Denish finds a way to deal with his past. He finds a place in a project by Dutch NGO War Child.

Viewing time: 1:54

One person in particular gains Denish' trust. Auntie Grace is a social worker who takes care of the boy who had so many childhood nightmares.

Viewing time: 3:22

Denis' uncle finds out he has escaped. He hesitantly goes back to the community he grew up in. Not knowing whether he will be accepted.

Viewing time: 2:20

12 years from the moment Denish was abducted, he has his life back on track. "I want to be someone good".

Viewing time: 1:50

The commander-in-chief of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) is wanted by the International Criminal Court since 2005. But warlord Joseph Kony is still at large. Denish saw him once. What's his view on the mysterious rebel leader?

Viewing time: 1:08