Having watched as L.R.A rebels (Lords Resistance Army) executed his brother, Jacob was now running for his life, seeking refuge in a hostel designed for children trying to escape from the clutches of one man: Joseph Kony.
As leader of the L.R.A, Kony has abducted around 30,000 children, forcing the boys to become child soldiers and the girls to work as sex-slaves.
He is guilty of murder, rape, abduction and war crimes and forces his soldiers to mutilate and murder those who will not join his cause.
His heinous crimes have resulted in him becoming the International Criminal Court's (ICC) number 1 target, above the likes of the late Muammar Gadaffi.
But what is his cause? According to the International Criminal Court it is simply to maintain power. He is supported by no one and uses peace talks to re-arm his forces before repeatedly unleashing attacks on the civilians of Uganda.
"Ninety-nine per cent of the population do not know Kony's name, nor do they know of his terrible crimes." Says Russell, pictured below.
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| Jason Russell - Campaigner |
Through an organisation called 'Invisible Children,' Russell and his campaigners have spent the past few years seeking political action on the part of the United States Government to intervene and bring Joseph Kony to justice.
They took their cause to Washington DC, to the White House and spoke with Congressmen from both the Republican and the Democratic parties.
Their attempts to gain governmental support succeeded.
In October of 2011, 5 years after Russell began his campaign for change, President Obama agreed to send 100 American troops to Uganda to act as advisers; supporting the Ugandan army in their attempts to track and arrest Kony.
It was the first time in American history that the Government had acted as a result of public demand however, in December 2011, a radio broadcast was intercepted revealing that Kony had caught on to the American presence and was changing his tactics to avoid capture.
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| Kony's Child Soldier |
This has meant that the prolonged American influence in Uganda is costing the American government lots of money with very little to show for it. US support could be removed at any point.
Along with 'Invisible Children' the charity 'TRI' has decided that 2012 is the year which will see the capture and arrest of Joseph Kony.
They intend to make him famous, a household name known to all and by all. Thousands of posters have been put up in major cities across the planet, bracelets are being worn to raise awareness and flyers are being distributed until everyone has heard of Joseph Kony.
Jason Russell's video, 'Kony 2012' can be seen below...
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