Sen. Coburn Blocking Bill That Would Give $40 Million to Uganda

By Jacqueline Sit, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn is blocking a bill that would give $40 million in funding to Uganda because he said it could have an offset in the budget. Local groups said the bill could help bring peace to Uganda, and that's why they're hoping to change Coburn's mind.

The bill has gained unanimous support in Congress, all except from Sen. Coburn.

For more than 20 years, thousands of Uganda children have been abducted and forced to fight as soldiers by Joseph Kony and his Lord's Resistance Army.

The issue at home: Senator Coburn's blocking a bill to stop the head of the L. R. Army in Uganda and saving Uganda's children.

"My dad died when I was three, and we had suffered a lot from the rebel activity. My sister was also abducted," said PepsiCo, who is from Uganda.

That's why dozens marched from the State Capitol to downtown Oklahoma City to the lone senator who has the power to change the fate of the legislation.

"He's the only one who can move this hold or actively pursue a solution to get it passed," said Mark Nehrenz, Uganda supporter.

Nehrenz has advocated for Uganda for years and after five trips to South Africa, he said the sights and sounds are still unforgettable.

"I'm seeing children in northern Uganda who are suffering horrendous circumstances, being abducted, forced to fight as soldiers, to see we can actually do something about it," Nehrenz said.

That something, he said, is to be a voice for the voiceless, to be that hope in bringing peace and changing one Oklahoma lawmaker's hold.

"We're not taking no for an answer. We're going to say, 'Senator Coburn, you're a principled man, and you're putting a hold on this bill, but we're going to hold out longer than you,'" said Lisa Dougan, with Resolve Uganda Director Communication.

The group said it is not against Coburn's campaign, but they'll be camping outside his downtown office in a vigil until the Senator votes in their favor.

Coburn's office told NEWS 9 the Senator agrees the situation in Uganda is tragic and wants the bill passed soon, but views our national debt as a national security crisis and hopes the bill sponsors will identify budget offsets and work with him to pass the bill.