As more people watch the now viral Youtube video, Uganda responds to Kony2012.

Uganda Responds to Kony2012 – Prime Minister Praises the Efforts but Not the Results

In a response to the worldwide sensation that is Kony2012, a short 30-minute documentary that exposes the atrocities of the LRA and its leader,  Joseph Kony from the organization known as Invisible Children Inc., Uganda responds to Kony2012 with its Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi criticizing certain aspects of the video. Although the Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi praises the efforts of the video and how this social media sensation is able to bridge boundaries and differences for a united cause, he also specifically states how the government is aware of the dire situation and does not need a Kony2012 to inform them of this ongoing conflict:

“We do not need the slick video on YouTube for us to take notice. It is a tragedy that we have been dealing with for many years.”

Uganda Responds to Kony2012 – Video Misses a Crucial Point

PM Mbabazi also states how the Kony2012 video campaign and the Invisible Children organization fail to make a crucial point clear,

“Joseph Kony is not in Uganda.”

The Prime Minister goes on to clarify that the infamous criminal Joseph Kony and his Lords Resistance Army have not been actively located in Uganda since 2006 according to the United Nations. PM Mbabazi also insists that the conflict within Uganda is exaggerated, and in fact, Uganda is a quite peaceful harmonious country that is modernized. The Prime Minister takes his criticisms one step further in a tweet that invites celebrities that endorsed the Kony2012 film, Oprah Winfrey and George Clooney being among them,  to come visit Uganda and see the country for themselves,

“As PM of Uganda, I invite you to visit the Pearl of Africa & see the peace that exists in our wonderful country.”

Uganda Responds to Kony2012 – Ugandans Negatively Respond

Uganda responds to Kony2012 after Jason Russell, co-founder of Invisible Children and the narrator and main contributor to the film, was detained on Thursday for acts of lewd conduct in public. This video response comes as no surprise to many in Uganda, as the video has been seen as poorly representing the country and its problems by the majority of Ugandans. This further scrutiny of the film may hinder the ultimate goal of raising awareness of Joseph Kony and the LRA. As Uganda responds to Kony2012, the question remains as to whether this film does more harm than good.

Feature Image Provided By The National Post