Northern MPs back reconciliation project

The northeastern MPs in Uganda’s newly constituted seventh parliament have pledged support for a peace and reconciliation project among warring northern ethnic groups on the one hand, and between these groups and the government on the other hand, the international NGO World Vision reported on Wednesday. The 12 MPs, including two ministers, said they would back conciliation activities under the POKATUSA project, which promotes peace and reconciliation efforts among the Pokot, Karamojong, Turkana and Sabiny groups, World Vision stated in a press release. The politicians were addressing a workshop in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, to explain the POKATUSA project, which is funded by World Vision-UK and Britain’s Department for International Development. “War starts in the minds of people. As we seek peace and reconciliation, we therefore need to start with the mind,” said World Vision (Uganda) Director Robby Muhumuza in seeking the goodwill of the MPs. “Yours is a sustainable plan. We will run through our villages to generate support for the project,” the NGO quoted Minister of State in charge of Karamoja Peter Lokeris as saying.