Uganda (Hansard, 3 March 2004)

§ Baroness Amos

Resolution of the conflict in northern Uganda is a priority for the UK and this is an issue in which the Prime Minister is taking a close interest. The conflict was discussed in detail during the meeting between the Prime Minister and President Museveni, when the president visited London at the end of January.

The DfID office and British High Commission (BHC) in Uganda are in regular contact with representatives of the Acholi community, including religious, traditional and political leaders to facilitate a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Immediately following the massacre in Lango region on 21 February, DfID was in contact with the leaders of the Acholi community and provided support for discussions between them and community leaders in other parts of northern Uganda focused on easing tribal tensions. It has not yet been possible for BHC and DflD to meet with President Museveni following the recent atrocities.

The UK recognise that although there has to be a security response against the brutalities of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), a sustainable peace is not possible through military means alone. For this reason, the UK together with the international community are supporting alternative conflict resolution strategies to the use of force. We are, for example, encouraging President Museveni to strengthen his Presidential Peace Team. We are also supporting amnesty activities and the Amnesty Commission, which encourages LRA combatants to 103WA give up their arms. We are exploring a number of avenues for improving local dialogue about peace, including through local FM radio. Between 2001 and 2003 DfID spent £0.9 million in support of conflict reduction and peace programmes. We anticipate spending a further £1.6 million between now and March 2005.