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.

It was 11 years ago when Apio Juliet Okidi last saw her cousin Afany.

19-year-old Afany, also known as Langol Cyprian or Alphonse, was abducted one evening in 2002. October 10 to be exact, according to Juliet’s brother Kilama.

Ugandans celebrate their country’s independence on October 9, so Afany had joined a group of boys for a post-holiday gathering. The rebels came from behind the hut where the boys were sitting and caught them unaware.

“The first boy was beaten and released that day. Others were released after a day or two or at most a few weeks,” Kilama said.

But Afany never returned home.

Juliet (left) and her brother Kilama (right) are waiting for the return of their cousin, Alphonse, who was abducted by Joseph Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army in October 2002.

“Even though I was married and not living near him anymore, [Alphonse] was always by my side. Most of all, he never left me alone during both difficult times and happy moments.  I can never forget him,” Juliet said.

She explained that Afany had dreams of pursuing a rewarding career and becoming a doctor or an engineer.

While Juliet was never abducted herself, the Lord’s Resistance Army conflict has not left her without scars. Her husband was killed as a result of the conflict so she is raising her children as a single mother.  She cannot afford school fees for her eldest daughter and cannot help but think that her daughter would be in school if Alphonse was home, as he always promised to help support her family financially.

Juliet said the family was living in an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in 2007 when a community member escaped from the LRA, carrying the message that Afany was still alive. She has heard nothing since then.

Instead of giving up hope, Juliet channels her pain into action by working hard as a female counselor. She has achieved leadership and esteem as a peace mediator in her community. She hopes that Afany is still alive and if he comes back from captivity, her leadership role will ease his reintegration process.

WE ARE DETERMINED TO BRING EVERY LAST ABDUCTED CHILD HOME. Support our protection programs to help Invisible Children continue to encourage defection in LRA-affected regions.