By Henry Mukasa

THE mainstream political parties will attend a consultative meeting with the LRA rebels in Ri-Kwangba, South Sudan.
A date is yet to be fixed for the meeting, which is meant to help secure lasting peace in northern Uganda.

Party leaders told The New Vision that they were waiting for invitation letters to name their delegates.

DP president general Ssebaana Kizito said it has been his party’s cry for many years to end the 20-year-long rebellion through peaceful means.

“Yeah! We shall send a delegation,” Sebaana said over the telephone. “If I am in the country, I will attend.”

The LRA and government delegations pledged to consult stakeholders and war victims after signing the accountability and reconciliation agreement in Juba in June. The recommendations from the consultations will be appended to the ‘accountability and reconciliation’ pact.

Each political party is expected to send three representatives. Traditional institutions, government commissions and religious leaders are also expected there.

The interim chairman of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Jaberi Bidandi Ssali, said the LRA’s invitation “is definitely welcome.” He said a member of the budding party, Santa Okot, was already participating in the talks.

“We will definitely be available to be consulted. If that means sending a delegation, we shall send. If my health allows, I will have no problem going.”

FDC spokesman Wafula Ogutu said party officials participating in the peace talks and attending the meeting would not be out of line. He cited the Leader of Opposition, Prof. Ogenga Latigo, who has been to Juba and in the LRA hideout in Garamba in Congo.

“If (our participation) is going to bring peace in that area, we are going to participate,” Wafula said.

The Conservative Party leader, John Ken Lukyamuzi, said he was willing to participate in the LRA consultations.

“It’s on record that in the 7th Parliament I moved a motion that peace talks with the LRA should be held outside Uganda.
“I am proud to have initiated the process. I want the war to end.”