The Amnesty Commission has blamed 'Operation Iron Fist' for escalation of insecurity in northern Uganda.

"We believe as a commission that if the operation was not there, the situation would have been better," Justice P. K.K Onega, the commission chairman, said.

He said the operation had made movement carry out messages of reconciliation to the rebels difficult.

"You can not tell someone to come back and be forgiven when you are at the same time shooting at him," he said.

Addressing a press conference yesterday, Onega said the commission would initiate peace talks with the Lord's Resistance Army rebels.

He said he was empowered to initiate and facilitate peace talks to promote peace and reconciliation.

Onega appealed to the LRA to stop violence and makes genuine gestures for peace.

He also asked the Government to go for peaceful means of resolving the conflict in order to end the conflict that has hit the country for over 16 years.