27th February 2004
Thank you for your letter of 23 February to the Foreign Secretary about the situation in northern Uganda. I have been asked to reply.
The UK deplores the actions of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). Their 18-year war against the government of Uganda has resulted in numerous massacres of the local population and the abductions of up to 20,000 children. The brutal massacre of nearly 200 displaced persons in a camp in Lira on 21 February is the latest in a series of abhorrent attacks. There are now over one million displaced people in Uganda as a result of the conflict. They are suffering worsening conditions and food shortages.
The British Government supports the commitment of the Ugandan government in their efforts to bring ah end to the conflict. However, the LRA are unlikely to be overcome by military means alone. The use of force needs to be complemented by alternative strategies. We therefore continue to encourage the Government of Uganda, to reach a peaceful settlement. The Prime Minister and Jack Straw both raised this issue with President Museveni during his visit to the UK on 28/29 January. They reiterated our concern about the humanitarian situation and urged President Museveni to intensify efforts to seek a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict.
We believe that the Acholi religious and community leaders are best placed to act as mediators of dialogue and reconciliation. The UK is working closely with a number of local groups involved in attempts at mediation (including religious and traditional leaders), reconciliation and the reintegration of ex-combatants, including children. We have also supported the development of FM Radio, which played an important part in recent attempts to develop dialogue. Between 2001 and 2003 we spent £0.9 million in support of conflict reduction and peace programmes. We expect to spend a further £ 1.6 million between now
and March 2005.
In the meantime, we are focussing our efforts on addressing the humanitarian problems caused by this dreadful conflict and in particular the need to rehabilitate children who have been abducted by the LRA. We are increasing our humanitarian support. We disbursed £8.4 million in the last twelve months to meet the needs emerging from the crisis. This assistance has been channelled through the World Food Programme, UNICEF and the Uganda Red Cross Society to support those affected by the conflict. The UK's Department for International Development (DFID) team based in Uganda remains in close touch with the Ugandan government, the United Nations and other agencies, and DFID officials regularly visit the affected areas.
I hope that this is helpful.
Yours Sincerely
Deborah Fisher
Return to World Christian News page
DCI World Christians
http://www.dci.org.uk
