Abductions by Joseph Kony’s rebel army have contributed to thousands of missing children throughout East and central Africa. This is a story of one still missing.

Bianca Akullu, a peace mediator in Adilang sub-county in northern Uganda, felt somewhat relieved when her daughter returned home after the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) abducted her. But Bianca says she still cannot rest easy.

“My son is still missing. He has been gone over 20 years now,” she said.

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Bianca records a “Come Home Radio Message” to her son John. John was abducted 20 years ago, but she stills holds out hope that he is alive.

Ocitti John was 19-years-old when he was abducted by the LRA. He was no longer in school at the time, but instead working hard at home on farming and domestic activities.

“What I remember the most is that he was a hardworking boy who loved farming so much. He was the leader of a group of boys doing similar [agricultural] activities. He was also talented in traditional music and one of the best players in his group,” Bianca said.

John had previously been abducted in 1998 and managed to return home after a short time. But, one morning in 2002, as John led a group of young men to garden, the rebels surrounded them on the way.

“They said they had just come for their soldier who ran away,” Bianca said.

John.

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Bianca takes a quiet moment after sharing her son’s story with Invisible Children.

According to reports from returnees, a commander with the LRA stood up for John and said that he did not run away but was separated during crossfire. Because of this, the LRA forces did not kill him. However, they decided to abduct him again even though they let the others go free.

“When I got the news that my son was abducted, I went to where the LRA was gathered with the intention to plead. But, as a civilian, as someone unarmed, there was nothing much I could do,” she said.

Watching the Lord’s Resistance Army take her son away was incredibly difficult for Bianca. She continued hearing about him until 2005 when the LRA was still operating in northern Uganda, but once the rebel forces moved into central Africa, she heard nothing more.

“I am doubtful that he is alive but I can still have hope since others have returned. In those days when I would hear about him, he was still close in Uganda. I keep thinking that distance is what could keep me from hearing about him now.”

WE ARE DETERMINED TO BRING EVERY LAST ABDUCTED CHILD HOME AND THEN CELEBRATE EACH AND EVERY HOMECOMING. Join us in this mission today.