Kampala — A UN body for action on small arms and light weapons (SALW) has hailed Uganda for her fight against the proliferation of illicit firearms.

Uganda was commended at the just-concluded first Biennial Meeting of the United Nations Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons in New York from July 7 to 11.

In a statement signed by Uganda's deputy permanent representative to the UN, Fred Beyendeza, Uganda was highly praised for her efforts in combating the proliferation of illegal weapons by the chairperson of the conference, Ambassador Kunilo Inoguchi of Japan.

The commendation was also in recognition of the bold steps Uganda has taken at the national level in implementing the UN programme of action (PoA).

"The UN PoA is a global initiative adopted in July 2001, setting out comprehensive measures to combat the proliferation of SALW at international, regional and national levels," the statement partly read.

Uganda's ambassador to the UN Francis Butagira led the three-man Ugandan delegation that included Beyendeza and the co-ordinator of the Uganda National Focal Point on SALW, Richard Nabudere.

While presenting the country's report, Butagira informed the conference of Uganda's recent destruction of anti-personnel mines.

"He reported that preparations were also underway to destroy stock piles of illicit, surplus and obsolete small arms in government possession," Beyendeza said.

He said Butagira said the Government would soon embark on a comprehensive nation-wide weapons collection exercise to recover all firearms in illegal possession. He reported the establishment of the Uganda National Focal Point on SALW, as required by the UN.