American killed in Uganda shunned the spotlight, aid group says

Nate Henn, seen on the Invisible Children's website, was a native of Raleigh, North Carolina.

 

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Nate Henn advocated for the rights of child soldiers in the east African country
• Aid group: "The life he lived inspires reflection and imitation"
• Henn is the only confirmed American fatality 

The American believed killed in the Uganda bomb blasts advocated for the rights of child soldiers in the east African country, a California nonprofit said Monday.
In a post on its website, the organization -- Invisible Children -- said Nate Henn was in the country on its behalf to work with Ugandan students.
"Nate was not a glory seeker and never sought the spotlight. He asked not to be made a hero of," the post said. "But the life he lived inspires reflection and imitation."
CNN could not independently verify the information on the site.
Henn -- a native of Raleigh, North Carolina -- was a former rugby player at the University of Delaware, the group said.

He had worked with Invisible Children for a year and a half and raised funds to help educate Ugandan students affected by war.
At the time of the bombings, he was with some of the students he worked with, the group said.
The nonprofit works with Ugandan children affected by decades of war between rebels and government forces. Rebels abduct the victims -- referred also as invisible children -- and force them to fight the government. Some younger girls are forced into sex slavery.
Aid groups estimate tens of thousands of children have been abducted by one such group, the Lord's Resistance Army.

 "These are some of our Ugandan students who fell in love with Nate's wit, strength, character and steadfast friendship," the post said. "They gave him the Acholi name 'Oteka,' which means 'The Strong One.'"
Henn is the only confirmed American fatality. The explosion killed at least 64 people, Ugandan officials said Monday.
At least 71 people were injured, including six Americans, authorities said.

 The three explosions Sunday ripped through two venues where crowds were watching the World Cup in the Ugandan capital of Kampala. The first one struck an Ethiopian restaurant in a neighborhood dotted with bars and popular among expatriates; two were at a rugby sports center.
Henn was watching the game at the rugby center, the organization said.
He was living his dream in Uganda.

"A selfless dream of putting others first, seeking peace and living a life of integrity," the post said.

RELATED LINK:
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/07/12/uganda.american.killed/?fbid=nK-c-QAhK5n