Northern Uganda Archbishop John Baptist Odama will meet the rebels this week to review progress of the peace talks.

Aswa County MP Reagan Okumu, who is part of the peace team, confirmed the meeting when contacted yesterday.

"Our role has been to bridge the gap between government and rebels so that the two can sit at a around table and negotiate peace," Okumu, who returned from Gulu Saturday, said.

The Archbishop's team that met rebels on July 14, 20 and 21 at Guru Guru hills inside Uganda had Kilak MP Michael Ocula, Aswa MP Reagan Okumu, Amuru Parish Priest Fr. Romano and Retired Kitgum Bishop Baker Ochola.

Joseph Kony's team comprises Brig. Vincent Otti, Brig. Tolbert Yardin, Col. Sam Kolo and Col. Acellam Caeser.

This week's meeting is a follow up of Kony's letter to President Yoweri Museveni, which was delivered on Aug. 21.

Archbishop Odama delivered the letter to Museveni during a meeting in Gulu.

Okumu said he doesn't know the content of the letter. He however added that President Museveni named his peace team Aug. 23, following the delivery of the letter.

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs Eriya Kategaya will head the team, which includes Lt. Gen. Salim Saleh and MPs Reagan and Norbert Mao (Gulu Municipality).

"There are positive signs on either sides," Okumu said.

He hoped that negotiations would commence as soon as outstanding issues on both sides have been resolved.

For example, he said, rebels want to be supplied with food and medicine but at the same time are conscious of their security. He said there are still disagreements on the venue of the negotiations and the naming of Kony team.

Okumu urged both sides to observe the cease-fire to enable talks go on.