Hudson Apunyo
9 May 2008
Lira — The Uganda Traditional Cultural Institutions and the government of Uganda on Monday signed a declaration known as the Lira Declaration in which they agreed to play a leading role in the establishment of national reconciliation.
The meeting drew participants from Alur, Ankole, Buganda, Busoga, and Teso. Others were from Lango, Karamoja, Acholi, Adhola, and Tooro.
The prime ministers from the kingdoms, government representatives and the European Union delegation under the declaration said they will work to sensitise the communities on the need for dialogue in mitigating conflicts, advocate for human rights, environmental preservation, sharing of natural resources, among others.
The Uganda Traditional Cultural Institution committed itself to remain political in order to foster harmony among all the communities and and work with the government to maintain peace.
The Minister for Syda Bbumba, declared the government's commitment to support development programmes by Uganda Traditional Cultural Institutions as spelt out in the National Cultural Policy.
The theme of the dialogue was Traditional Cultural Institutions in Peace Building, Social Justice and Development in Uganda.
The dialogue was organised by North, North Eastern and West Nile Cultural Institutions Network and sponsored by the delegation of the European Commission in Uganda.
The EU head of delegation in Uganda, Ambassador Vincent de Visscher said 2008 has been declared the European year of Inter-cultural dialogue.
"The idea came that we should do the same in Uganda where there are different cultures," Mr De Visscher said.
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