[Ugnet] Peace Restoration in Progress

Reacting to the article below, one may conclude , based on logically analysis of Ms. Bigombe utterances, that

a) Until now Members of the International Community did NOT from way back in 1994, support the peace process in Northern Uganda. In other words members of the International Community were instrumental in promoting wars in Northern Uganda.

b) After the death of Hundreds of thousands of our fellow citizens in Northern Uganda, only now members of the International Community are beginning to support the peace effort. We the people of Uganda...can only say to members of the International Community that "thanx a lot for your belated concerned about the suffering masses in Northern Uganda)

Bigombe, further points out that Yoweri Museveni's peace process with "LRArebels" will take even a little bit longer to achieve . In other words, fellow citizens, the people of Uganda should await for even more death in destruction to occur in Northern Uganda before full peace is restored by the Regime in Kampala.

Indeed it is only about know that the likes of LC 5 Chairman Walter Ochora are realizing the fact that the war in Northern Uganda is one of the most neglected conflict in the whole world. And even after realizing this fact, Yoweri Museveni Military dictatorship is still hell bent of fighting even more wars in Northern Uganda.

Accordingly, We hear of UPDF KILLING "rebels" day in and day out. What then is Ms. Atuk Betty Bigombe talking about " peace " in Northern Uganda while at the sometime the regime continues with wars? ..and Ugandan political observers would like to find as to what role Exactly, is the so called "Norwegian Peace Negotiator, recently assigned to help Ms. Bigombe , is actually doing? the man has simply kept quiet never to be heard from !

The chief peace mediator, Ms Betty Bigombe, has said her struggle for peace restoration in the north is in progress. She encouraged the community not to lose hope.

Bigombe said she was in contact with LRA's Joseph Kony and President Yoweri Museveni's administration to bring about a negotiated end to the northern war that has persisted for the last 19 years with devastating effects on the country.

She said this on May 27 at the palace of the Paramount Chief of Acholi, Rwot David Onen Acana II, in Gulu Municipality during the launch of a scheme to assist and resettle former LRA rebel officers and fighters.

The project, costing about $4.2 million, is funded by the World Bank.

Bigombe said the process may take a bit long but peace will eventually return to the volatile north.

She said if the international community had supported the peace struggle in 1994, the war would possibly have ended many years ago."People should not lose hope. As long as I'm in Gulu, you should have hope for peace." Bigombe said. She said by the government and Kony accepting peace dialogue is another factor to show that peace will be achieved.

The launch was organised by Amnesty Commission and was attended by ambassadors and representatives of the governments of Netherlands, Norway, Usaid, DFID and religious leaders among others.

Maj. Gen. Ali Bamwoze, formerly of the Uganda National Rescue Front II, led a delegation from Arua.

The former fighters and commanders were given amnesty certificates to protect them against future prosecution for past misdeeds.

The LC5 Chairman of Gulu, Col. Walter Ochora, described the situation in the north as "the most forgotten and neglected war worldwide."

He called on the international community to strengthen the Acholi traditional institution in its effort to end the war through reconciliation.

Rwot Acana called on the LRA rebels still in the bush to stop inhuman attacks on the population in the north and elsewhere.

He also appealed to the Acholi to practice patience and humility at "this trying moment when everybody is struggling to attain peace".

The LRA rebels have caused a lot of instability in northen Uganda in the last 19 years killing hundreds of innocent civilians and leaving many others misplaced.

Several children have been abducted by the rebels and taken to be used as child soldiers although the UPDF has rescued some of them.

The UPDF has clashed with the rebels on many occasions to restore peace in the north.

[Ugnet] Peace Restoration in Progress - Bigombe

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