9781422281284

Within a few weeks, I was part of the rebel force. There were other children of my age, and several were even younger. Many of the weapons the force owned were far older than we were. Some guns and mortars were from the United States, oth- ers were French. While I was there, the rebels received two rocket launchers which were from Eastern Europe and looked new. No one would say how they had gotten them. Fighting was terrifying, and I saw many people die. I was lucky and managed to escape and be reunited with my family. The village we used to live in is no longer there—much of it was destroyed by bombs. We all now live in a large town in southern Uganda. Life is hard: We miss our village, and I have to help care for my younger sister. She lost her left leg when her bicycle rode over

Words to Understand in This Chapter

arms trade— the buying and selling of weapons and defense equipment used in conflict. casualty— a person who is hurt or killed during an accident, war, etc. Cold War— the nonviolent conflict between the US and the former Soviet Union after 1945. embargo— a government order that limits trade in some way. mortar— a short light cannon used to shoot shells high into the air. reconnaissance— military activity in which soldiers, airplanes, etc., are sent to find out information about an enemy. Soviet Union— Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR): a country from 1922–1991 that included 15 republics in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia, the largest of which was Russia.

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The Arms Trade