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Uganda rebels release peace dove Uganda rebels release peace dove
(20 minutes later)
The Ugandan rebels' chief negotiator Martin Ojul has released a white dove in the capital, Kampala, as a symbol of the group's commitment to peace.The Ugandan rebels' chief negotiator Martin Ojul has released a white dove in the capital, Kampala, as a symbol of the group's commitment to peace.
It is the Lord's Resistance Army's first official visit to the city as part of efforts to end their brutal two decade rebellion in the north.It is the Lord's Resistance Army's first official visit to the city as part of efforts to end their brutal two decade rebellion in the north.
"We're here committed to make sure we get a final agreement," Mr Ojul said. "We're here, committed to make sure we get a final agreement," Mr Ojul said.
On Friday, they will go up north to start consultations with victims on the issues of justice and accountability. During the visit, the rebels hope to meet the president and go up north to discuss justice and reconciliation.
They are being accompanied by some of the mediators and observers from the talks taking place in southern Sudan, where LRA leaders signed a truce with the government in 2006.They are being accompanied by some of the mediators and observers from the talks taking place in southern Sudan, where LRA leaders signed a truce with the government in 2006.
They were greeted at Entebbe airport by the interior minister and the government's chief negotiator at peace talks, Dr Ruwakana RugundaThey were greeted at Entebbe airport by the interior minister and the government's chief negotiator at peace talks, Dr Ruwakana Rugunda
The value of what we are doing starting today is much higher than the fear LRA spokesman Godfrey AyooThe value of what we are doing starting today is much higher than the fear LRA spokesman Godfrey Ayoo
LRA leader Joseph Kony remains at a rebel camp across the border in the Democratic Republic of Congo.LRA leader Joseph Kony remains at a rebel camp across the border in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He has refused to take part in long-running but stalled talks unless the International Criminal Court lifts an arrest warrant against him and other top rebel leaders.He has refused to take part in long-running but stalled talks unless the International Criminal Court lifts an arrest warrant against him and other top rebel leaders.
On Wednesday, the LRA once again dismissed reports of fighting between Mr Kony and his deputy, leading to mass desertions and a split in the movement.On Wednesday, the LRA once again dismissed reports of fighting between Mr Kony and his deputy, leading to mass desertions and a split in the movement.
The person making the accusations is the LRA's Opiyo Makasi who arrived at Entebbe airport on Thursday evening after surrendering last week in DR Congo.The person making the accusations is the LRA's Opiyo Makasi who arrived at Entebbe airport on Thursday evening after surrendering last week in DR Congo.
Sticking pointSticking point
Earlier, Dr Rugunda, told the BBC the visit was a very positive development that would enhance confidence in the peace process The BBC's Sarah Grainger in Kampala says the room where the LRA was holding its news conference was so packed that it was moved outside in the dark to the car park.
Why peace is coming Peace talks bring changeWhy peace is coming Peace talks bring change
"The LRA leaders will be safe just like any other Ugandan is safe during their visit," he told the BBC Network Africa programme. "We have always invited our brothers and sisters to come home - we are glad they have done so. And it shows progress that has so far been made in peace talks," Dr Ruganda said at the press conference.
LRA spokesman Godfrey Ayoo admitted that the team had security fears but insisted that they will forge ahead with their mission. Mr Ojul said that he had come to find peace for his people as he released the dove.
Our correspondent says the symbolic release didn't go entirely to plan as the tired dove careered off into the crowd and did not get very far.
Earlier, LRA spokesman Godfrey Ayoo admitted that the team had security fears about their visit but insisted that they will forge ahead with their mission.
"The value of what we are doing starting today is much higher than the fear, we want this to be the last conflict in Uganda whereby people will never again take up weapons to resolve their problems," Mr Ayoo told the BBC."The value of what we are doing starting today is much higher than the fear, we want this to be the last conflict in Uganda whereby people will never again take up weapons to resolve their problems," Mr Ayoo told the BBC.
The LRA's chief negotiator, Martin Ojul, will travel to northern Uganda on Friday where he will carry out consultations with local politicians, community leaders and the general public on the issue of justice and accountability. Mr Ojul will travel to northern Uganda on Friday where he will carry out consultations with local politicians, community leaders and the general public on the issue of justice and accountability.
The BBC's Sarah Grainger in Kampala says this is a key sticking point in the negotiations. This is a key sticking point in the negotiations, our reporter says.
The government and the rebels have decided broadly on how justice and reconciliation should be handled.The government and the rebels have decided broadly on how justice and reconciliation should be handled.
But the agreement signed in June fails to address the issue of the ICC, our correspondent says.But the agreement signed in June fails to address the issue of the ICC, our correspondent says.
Traditional forms of justice have been suggested as an alternative to the ICC but are much less punitive.Traditional forms of justice have been suggested as an alternative to the ICC but are much less punitive.
During their rebellion, the rebels used the abduction of children and mutilation of adults to bolster their cause.During their rebellion, the rebels used the abduction of children and mutilation of adults to bolster their cause.
More than one million people have been driven from their homes.More than one million people have been driven from their homes.
VitalVital
It had been thought the LRA delegation was to meet President Yoweri Museveni during their time in Kampala, however, this has yet to be confirmed. The LRA delegation hopes to meet President Yoweri Museveni during their time in Kampala.
More than 1.5m people still live in displacement camps in the northMore than 1.5m people still live in displacement camps in the north
The seeds of the conflict were sown in the defeat of the Ugandan army in 1986 by forces loyal to Mr Museveni.The seeds of the conflict were sown in the defeat of the Ugandan army in 1986 by forces loyal to Mr Museveni.
The defeated fighters fled north, reformed and eventually rallied behind a spiritualist - Alice Lakwena.The defeated fighters fled north, reformed and eventually rallied behind a spiritualist - Alice Lakwena.
She was in turn defeated a year later, leaving a power vacuum in northern Uganda.She was in turn defeated a year later, leaving a power vacuum in northern Uganda.
It was this vacuum that Mr Kony filled.It was this vacuum that Mr Kony filled.
In recent years, with dwindling support from Sudan, the LRA have been on the run.In recent years, with dwindling support from Sudan, the LRA have been on the run.
The BBC's Africa analyst Martin Plaut says finding sanctuary in remote areas of DR Congo and funding their operations from diamond mines, the rebel movement is a shadow of its former self.The BBC's Africa analyst Martin Plaut says finding sanctuary in remote areas of DR Congo and funding their operations from diamond mines, the rebel movement is a shadow of its former self.
But ending their rebellion is still vital if peace is to come to northern Uganda, he says.But ending their rebellion is still vital if peace is to come to northern Uganda, he says.