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New Vision (Kampala)
December 12, 2003
Posted to the web December 12, 2003
Jude Etyang
Kampala
THE European Union (EU) has reiterated its call to the Government to seek a peaceful solution to the 17-year-old rebellion in northern Uganda.
The EU Head of delegation in Uganda, Sigurd Illing, said the Government should negotiate with the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebels.
He said the war had displaced nearly 1.2 million people and caused death of many others.
Illing was speaking after he accepted the Always Be Tolerant (ABETO) diplomatic peace award 2003 yesterday in Kampala.
The Chief Justice, Benjamin Odoki, presented the award to Illing.
Illing said conflict undermined poverty reduction, good governance and human rights strategies. He said the war could create a fertile breeding ground for terrorism.
He said the EU had spent over sh10b in peace and human rights programmes.
Illing said the EU supports religious leaders and civil society organisations efforts to end the conflict.
Odoki said he supports ABETOs' struggle to inculcate the culture of peace and tolerance in the Uganda community.
"This is not a simple task given the political and cultural history of our country," said Odoki.
ABETO chairman Moses Musana said the award was started last year to recognise the efforts of diplomats who had contributed to peace projects in the country.
