Milton Olupot and Patrick Jaramogi
20 March 2008
Kampala — LRA chief Joseph Kony and his fighters have crossed to the Central African Republic, the Government confirmed yesterday.
International relations state minister Henry Okello Oryem acknowledged that this was "a serious threat to peace in the region".
"It is confirmed that Kony has gone to the Central African Republic. It took him five days to walk that distance from Garamba.
He, however, said Kony's flight would not deter the Government's commitment to the Juba peace process.
"But we shall continue implementing the undertakings that we have covered and signed in Juba. The Judiciary, Parliament, the army and other government organs are putting together mechanisms to implement the agreements."
He said the Government was in touch with the International Criminal Court, which has indicted Kony, but said government needed the final peace agreement to approach the UN Security Council to drop the case.
Oryem was speaking at the prayer breakfast organised by the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda at the Serena Hotel in Kampala to mark the completion of the Juba peace talks.
The council and Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment have organised three-day national prayers on peace starting today.
Coalition head of research Arthur Bainomugisha said the LRA's movement could shutter the peace process.
The religious leaders appealed to be included in the process of implementing the peace, saying it should not be left entirely to the Government.
Elder John Wani argued that "for such undertakings to be comprehensive and to reflect national interest, there will be need for participation of religious institutions, civil society organisations, cultural institutions and development partners."
Bainomugisha also expressed concern over the delay by government to put in place legislation for the implementation of the agreements signed in Juba.
He called on all Ugandans to join hands to consolidate the peace negotiated in Juba
He said "real peace would be made in Uganda and not in Juba. "If we don't get peace in the hearts and the minds of people, Uganda is doomed."
He called for the integration of returning abductees into society to avoid "a time bomb" if the process was mismanaged.
Minister Oryem appeared to support his argument when he told harrowing stories of former abductees who continue to act irrationally.
He cited a girl who hacked her sister to death and a boy who clubbed his grandfather to death after returning home from the bush.
Kony has has fought the government for the past 20 years, displacing thousands. The latest round of talks had been seen as a real chance for peace.
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