The Use of Religion in Violent Conflict, Conflict Resolution, and Peacebuilding: Cases from Uganda and Sierra Leone

Noted as one of the most notorious rebels in Africa, The Lord’s Resistance Army has been known to commit inexcusable atrocities in Uganda, raiding villages to kill, kidnap, and loot. Since 1989, Uganda has been in a state of constant conflict because of the activities of the LRA. In this study I identify the political milieu which fomented political unrest in Uganda and neighboring Sudan, leading to the emergence of the LRA. Additionally, I examine the operations of the LRA, while uncovering the spiritual order it professed and also weaponized it its campaign of violence. After Sierra Leone’s 11-year civil war, the country is attempting to reconstruct what was lost to the war through approaches such as Pentecostalism, reconciliation, and reparations. I delve into the antecedents of the war and the different types of peace attainable by a nation. I dwell on the use of religion in these approaches, and the efforts made by the many religious leaders and practitioners to promote peace. In exploring this case study, the dominant methodology used was library research, with information gathered from documentaries, books, and scholarly articles on religion, violence, the LRA, RUF, and the Sierra Leone civil war, mainly from the fields of Political Science, African Studies, Peace studies, and Religion. I conclude that the LRA, instead of being considered an unorganized group of bandits perpetrating violence, using the goal of enforcing God’s commandments as a guise, was rather an organized group with some military training and governed with strict rules. Its emergence was necessitated by the state of political affairs in Uganda. Additionally, I gather that although several peace approaches used in Sierra Leone contributed to the peace it is currently enjoying, transformative approaches were much more engaged- and preferred- in fostering peace. These approaches are widely accepted by the masses, and yield significant results as opposed to less transformative approaches like trials.