Pete Muller
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by stories. Through much of my life, I satisfied this interest through the study of history. The topics of war, uprising, social movements and sexuality defined my course of historical study at American University and generated a deep curiosity in the modern aspects of these issues. While the past enthralls me, my interest in creating modern primary documents ultimately won out. Since 2005, I have worked to document the individual consequences of war, poverty and struggle. Through a combination of photography, text, and audio recordings, I hope to illustrate broader issues through individual stories. I aim to create images and material that demand consideration for the lives of those depicted. I believe that intimate, sensitive photographs leave indelible marks on the conscience and actively oppose the sterilization of human suffering. I invite you to view samples of my work at www.petemullerphotography.com
Hometown: Marblehead, MA
School: American University
Where I've Lived Abroad: Gulu, Uganda - Arusha, Tanzania - Bethlehem, Palestine , Spain
Stories
Uganda
SLIDESHOW: Northern Uganda
A driving factor of conflict in northern Uganda is the lack of resource allocation to the region. Population centers in ... read more
13 Feb 2009
Uganda
The Clean-Up Crew: Bomb Disposal In The Wake Of War
“There are a few rules,” Mick says in thick Irish brogue, pulling me closer through a handshake. “One. You’re ... read more
03 Mar 2009
Insider Tips
Uganda
If they don't want to talk, there's a reason
Given northern Uganda’s violent political history, I was surprised to find virtually no serious political discussion. Political inquiries are often met with blank stares and ambiguous statements that trail ... read more
10 Feb 2009
Uganda
Obama's helping the American image
Obama’s election was a great first step towards restoring a more favorable opinion of the United States abroad. I was in Gulu, Uganda for the election, which was both ... read more
10 Feb 2009
Uganda
A few books to read before going
I spent my time in northern Uganda where the history, political dynamics and daily realities differ significantly from other parts of the country. If you’re headed to the north ... read more
10 Feb 2009
Uganda
Get your daily fix of cab accidents
The most notable means of local transportation in Uganda are motorcycle taxis known as boda-bodas. These taxis earned their name from the days when riders ferried travelers throughout the no ... read more
10 Feb 2009
Uganda
England's still the team to root for
I found it surprising that Ugandans seem obsessed only with teams from England, their former colonizer. read more
10 Feb 2009
Uganda
Keep it clean
Through the advice of an Acholi friend, I learned only words and phrases that were appropriate to use across all age ranges. I think its useful advice. read more
10 Feb 2009
Uganda
Awkward agnosticism
Most people in northern Uganda are Christians. If you’re agnostic like me and not comfortable discussing it, you may want to pick a denomination to fib about. I was ... read more
10 Feb 2009
Uganda
Bring hand sanitizer, leave the hat behind
I could have used more hand sanitizer. I brought a winter hat, which was a total waste. read more
10 Feb 2009
Uganda
Dancing...with a side of danger
Despite its history of extreme danger after dark, Gulu boasts a remarkable nightlife scene. During weekend nights, one can hear music blasting from nightclubs until dawn. There are several bars ... read more
10 Feb 2009
Uganda
Be clear, say "no."
I found the concept of saying no to be particularly tricky. In the US, we often dodge the unadulterated “no” with excuses and uncertainty. “Let me see if I’m ... read more
10 Feb 2009
Uganda
Ride the bus. Feel the fear.
I think that everyone should take the bus a few times. No trip is complete without knowing that fear. read more
10 Feb 2009
Uganda
Hip-hop on the rise
Uganda has a growing hip-hop scene. I spent some time shooting in a music recording studio in Gulu called Bushfire Records. My favorite artist on that scene is Smokey Allan ... read more
10 Feb 2009
Uganda
Better to be safe than sorry
Be wise. If you’re spending a lot of time in Internally Displaced Persons camps in northern Uganda, be vigilant. Odds are you’ll be fine but remember that there ... read more
10 Feb 2009
Uganda
BYOBottle
Uganda has a non-negotiable recycling policy on glass bottles. The policy is born of financial rather than environmental concerns but effective just the same. If you go to a store ... read more
10 Feb 2009
Uganda
Just eat it
I must say that much of East African cuisine does not do it for me. With the exception of Zanzibar, where spices are rich and seafood is varied and bountiful ... read more
10 Feb 2009
Uganda
Street food is good food
I survived largely on Rolexes, Uganda’s signature street food. It’s essentially a greasy, two-egg omelet wrapped in thin, fried bread called chapatti. The vendors will make it to ... read more
10 Feb 2009
Uganda
To watch before you go
I highly recommend War Dance, an Academy Award nominated documentary about northern Uganda. Beyond being an incisive and touching treatise on the issues, the film’s photography is absolutely breathtaking. read more
10 Feb 2009
Uganda
You can't exonerate without breaking some eggs
In September 2008, I photographed a traditional Acholi reconciliation ceremony for six senior commanders of the Lord’s Resistance Army. The ceremony focused on Opio Makasi, the Senior Operations Commander ... read more
10 Feb 2009
Uganda
Don your finest Eminem t-shirt
Eminem seems to be one of the most popular guys in northern Uganda. If you’ve got a t-shirt with his face on it, you’ll fit right in. Also ... read more
10 Feb 2009
Uganda
Try to learn the language
To the fullest extent possible, learn the language. I was deeply alarmed by how few foreigners made any attempt to learn Luo, the local language. I’m not saying that ... read more
10 Feb 2009
Uganda
Be wary of your sudden powers of seduction
I am in a committed relationship so dating was not part of my experience in Uganda. On the basis of previous experience, however, I would urge singles to be conscious ... read more


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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">She crawled out of a grass-thatched hut on all fours. She wore only a small cloth around her waist, her breasts exposed. Due to a fall six months ago, she suffered two dislocated hips, an injury that robbed her of mobility. While many of her neighbors in the Bobe IDP camp have returned home, her condition requires that she remain.</p>](http://media.glimpse.org/uploads/A3atcX/large.jpg)

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<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Kids are one of the most prominent features of the rural landscape in <st1:place w:st="on">Northern Uganda</st1:place>. A photographer cannot leave the house without droves of unsupervised children converging from all directions. Here, young boys fight for room in the frame in the Olwal IDP camp.</p>](http://media.glimpse.org/uploads/DStxZY/large.jpg)
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">A young woman watches military aircraft fly over Gulu’s deeply impoverished Cerileno neighborhood. Despite improvements in recent years, Cerileno’s reputation for prostitution, drug trade and other illegal activities persists.</p>](http://media.glimpse.org/uploads/iimhIH/large.jpg)




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<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Owing to a lack of polio vaccines in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Uganda</st1:place></st1:country-region>, many suffer from the debilitating condition. Charles lives in the remote Amuru district of Northern Uganda where dismal roads and a pervasive lack of wheelchair accessibility makes disabled life extremely difficult.<span style=""> </span>Here, he sits in the garage of the Gulu Disabled Persons Union where he receives advocacy training for those with disabilities.</p>](http://media.glimpse.org/uploads/NgAear/large.jpg)

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><st1:placename w:st="on">Gulu</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Town</st1:placetype>, one of <st1:place w:st="on">Northern Uganda</st1:place>’s largest population centers, remains a depot of war-affected people. Since a lull in fighting that began in 2006, the town struggles toward normality. The war crippled Gulu’s economy and increased communal tension. While live conflict is not currently part of the landscape, development challenges remain.</p>](http://media.glimpse.org/uploads/_5EdIX/large.jpg)
