War between government forces and the Lords Resistance Army has ravaged northern Uganda for the last 20 years. The population of the north are on the frontline – since the beginning of the conflict 60,000 children have been abducted from their homes, indoctrinated and used in the war “like human shields”.

In Kampala, President Museveni parades his country’s economic success to Western onlookers. Despite his claims that the Uganda People’s Defence Force are crushing the LRA, north of the Nile the countryside is still menaced by rebels. Many see the war as Museveni’s tool to retain political popularity in the south and power over the country as a whole. “The problem with north Uganda” radio presenter Andrew Mwenda states, “is that there are two war lords involved – Mr Museveni and Mr Kony”.

80 per cent of the north’s population have been displaced from their land and now live camps with up to 44,00 other people. Conditions are poor and hope scarce. “When we were in the village we had our own gardens. Now we have to wait for food to be distributed.” Donors and the government argue the camps offer refuge and protection, but they are seen by many to have facilitated rebels’ cause by creating a “one stop centre” for food, children and women.

This documentary unfolds entirely though images of the country and voices of those affected the strife. Stories are told by Caroline, a girl who travels six miles for a safe place to sleep at night, political activists and a mother whose two children were abducted while she escaped, “My children were given luggage to carry, they got tired and wanted a rest – the rebels just killed them on the spot and left their bodies.” Salient and sharp, Herbert Anamorphic balances raw political issues and exquisite imagery, with elegance and poignancy.