Reflecting on the Impact of Child Soldiers in Armed Conflicts: A Closer Look into the Ugandan Case of the Prosecutor V Dominic Ongwen

The purpose of this work is to denounce the use of children as soldiers in armed conflicts and investigate current practices violating children’s rights due to their involvement with terrorist or military groups.  Assess the effectiveness of mechanisms put in place to combat the use of child soldiers by conflict groups, including international legal norms. Examine aspects of the use of military force, criteria for its admissibility, and legitimacy as a means of conflict resolution. Legal analysis and reflection of the Ugandan case of The Prosecutor v Dominic Ongwen and its impact on the lives of other child soldiers. The methodology applied is the qualitative research method appropriate in the legal discipline while using primary, internet, and archival sources. Findings show factors that obstruct the prevention of recruitment and use of child soldiers. Finally, the extent to which children’s rights have been violated because of their use as soldiers under International Humanitarian Law. The work benefits legal scholars, professionals, and government policy initiatives.