A UGANDAN theatre group gave a performance of music, dance and stories, centred on the problem of child soldiers in Africa, to a secondary school in Elstree.

For three days, The Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School, in Butterfly Lane, welcomed members of Ndere troupe, to educate and entertain students.

Culminating with a colourful show of traditional singing and dancing on Thursday, April 28, the group managed to bring good humour to a serious and emotive subject.

One speaker, Martin Mapenduzi, gave a moving account of how his own brother was taken by rebels and forced to fight for several years before he escaped.

He told an audience of parents and pupils that an estimated 50,000 children in northern Uganda were abducted during a 20-year struggle, with around 20,000 thought never to have returned home.

While fellow performer, Emmanuel Jal, used his own experience as a former child soldier to entertain the crowd with rap music, poetry and a personal testimony.

Speaking at the end of the show, acting headmaster Matthew Judd, said: “There can be few more important issues for our students, as global citizens, to understand.

“And it was a powerful opportunity to hear first hand of this compelling story of personal tragedy, fortitude and forgiveness.

“Our Ugandan guests were compelling, powerful and humbling. It was an evening not to be forgotten.”

The performance on Thursday was the culmination of an exhibition on child soldiers created within the school.