National body on small arms launched

The Ugandan government has established a national body to combat the proliferation of illicit small arms into the country. Launched last week, the Ugandan National Focal Point (NFP) is expected to spearhead the development of national policies as well as coordinate national activities aimed at reducing the demand and supply of illegal firearms into the country. Stella Sebiti, who heads the Centre for Conflict Resolution (CECORE) and is a civil society representative in the NFP told IRIN the new organisation would hold a two day workshop, beginning on Wednesday, to establish its mandate. The workshop, to be held under the auspices of the London-based Saferworld in collaboration with South African-based SaferAfrica, is also expected to train various stakeholders, notably policy makers, civil society, the military and the police on their responsibilities under the new body. "We already have a working document, which is clear," Sebiti said. The NFP, was established to fulfil Uganda's commitments under the Nairobi Declaration, an ambitious blueprint signed by 10 regional states in March 2000, to combat the flow of illegal weapons in the Horn of Africa and Great Lakes regions. However, only three countries - Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda - have so far established their NFPs. "The countries in the greater Horn of Africa are not all at the same level of peace building," Sebiti said.