20     Northern Uganda. Apart from unconfirmed reports/ and incidents, the Committee has not found evidence to substantiate these allegations that UPDF soldiers were involved either in sexual exploitation, or facilitated sexual abuse of children. It has also not found evidence to support the argument that Government did not undertake its obligations to investigate, prosecute, and punish perpetrators of sexual abuse/violence committed against children allegedly by the UPDF or members of the LDUs. Alleged violation of Article 29 (the right to be protected from abduction) 79. There has been no doubt that children were the primary victims of the atrocities of the LRA in relation to their right to be protected from abduction. The fact that children were abducted from IDP camps, and forced to flee at night for safety has been well documented in authoritative sources and was confirmed by interviews, including with parents of abducted children. 80. However, the Committee does not find a violation of the duty to protect as set out in the Charter due to the prevailing conflict and inhumane methods of operation of the rebels which rendered the Ugandan Government’s efforts towards the protection of children not entirely successful until 2006, when the enemy forces lost sway. Decision of the African Committee 81. For the reasons given above, the African Committee finds a violation of Article 22 (and, as a fundamental duty, Article 1(1)) of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child by the Government of Uganda. The African Committee does not find a violation of the other Articles (Articles 11, 14, 16, 27 and 29) as alleged in the Communication. The African Committee therefore: 1. Recommends that the Government of Uganda should, in the interest of curbing an environment that perpetuates impunity and limits accountability for violence against children, provide an explicit and comprehensive provision in its Penal Code providing for the criminal responsibility of anyone who recruits or use persons below the age of 18 in situations of hostilities, tension or strife, in line with its obligations under the African Children’s Charter, and other applicable instruments. 2. Recommends that the Government of Uganda should implement fully the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the reception and handover of children separated from armed groups or forces, as well as undertake comprehensive DDR programmes, in collaboration with African Union, United Nations, and other partners, in a child-centered manner so as to promote children’s best interests. 3. Recommends that the Government of Uganda takes all necessary legislative, administrative, and other measures to ensure that children are registered immediately after birth and that they and their parents or guardians have prompt and free access to their birth certificates. Comprehensive measures,