Aid and Manipulation?

Britain just cut down their aid for northern Uganda, because of this whole deal with Museveni not wanting to go down in the February elections. The Ugandan gov't says it is unfazed by this - let other countries do what they want, but Uganda is free to do what it wants. I can't help sympathizing; of course Museveni is undemocratically trying to hold on to his power, and Uganda really really doesn't need another war...but people are still being kidnapped and raped and murdered and forced to be child soldiers by the LRA in northern Uganda. Isn't there a better way for European countries to express their disapproval than by allowing a few more people to die when there's already little enough aid going there?

Politics are complex, and even humanitarian work isn't very straightforward sometimes. But it seems like either you offer aid, even as a country, because someone needs it and you are commited to giving it, or you just don't offer it. The way to hurt someone you suspect is on the path to dictatorship isn't to weaken the people, is it?

But I am also somehow forgetting how great is the gospel of Christ, who willingly suffered through beatings, mocking, torture, and death in order to free his church from the slavery of sin, and ultimately from death and hell. The displaced people in Uganda and everywhere need that savior, the "living water," along with food and shelter (because God cares about body and soul). That's hope no country can take away.