Radios remain the only connection that many LRA combatants have to Uganda.

Because of this Willy Charles Okello, ICU’s Radio Production and Liaison Officer, continues to work with communities on producing Come Home messages. The messages are shared through FM and shortwave radio stations that reach areas in DR Congo, CAR and South Sudan. The hope is that hearing the voices of family and community members will continue to encourage abducted persons to return home safely.

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Last week, over 30 community members came together in Bobi, Uganda to record messages to loved ones who may want to escape from the LRA.

“We know the LRA wants to hear the voice of the people who matter to them. That includes their friends, relatives, parents and religious leaders and others. We want to make sure it is the community that sends the messages to them,” Willy said.

Two important groups also present at the recordings were local government leaders and community members who previously defected from the LRA. Local leaders record messages to let individuals know that they will be welcomed and supported in their return home and not punished by the government.

“We also know there are individuals in this community who have been in the bush,” Willy said. “These people send messages to their people who are still remaining in the bush to ask them to defect. They confirm to them that they are still alive, their life is good and there is no problem with their return.”

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In addition to organizing recording sessions, Invisible Children is also supporting the installation of a short-wave radio station and tower in Bobi. It is in the final stages of construction and will open in the next few months. Radio defection recordings trace back to the early 2000s when the radio station Mega FM was built in northern Uganda to help facilitate peace talks and send messages to LRA members in DR Congo and CAR.

“By giving the LRA updates on what is happening at home, including economic opportunities, education, any other human interest story, it will make them homesick. They will hear their own people. They make a decision that maybe life at home is better,” Willy said.

“Come Home” messaging has proven to be the most successful tool in fostering LRA defections throughout the conflict region. It takes less than one minute to help these life saving programs expand by starting a fundraising page for #zeroLRA.