P.0. Box 3293
Kampala
Tel: 256-41-220421
256- 41-221233

Mr. Massimo Trombin
Co-ordinator
IRFF Europe
President IRFF Luxembourg

RE: CULTURE OF PEACE PROGRAMME

Dear Mr. Massimo Trombin,

In the recent past, Lira and Apach Districts, in the Northern Region have had re-current problems of rebel activities, which targeted youth, retrenched soldiers and unemployed youth and men. These rebel activities affected sustainable development of the area in Education, Health, Agriculture, Environment, Trade, Transport, Population, in general. In specific areas, Lira is faced with food insecurity due to poor harvest handling, lack of skilled and semiskilled youth, women, rampant illiteracy, lack of modernised agricultural and environmental practices, inability to self-reliance and sustainability hence low capacity building in the social, economic and political areas.

The region has relatively low income and tax base. With a population of about 1,000,000 (One million) whose majority is illiterate, the area faces problem is social and economic empowerment.

The purpose of writing is to appeal to you and your friends in Europe and America to assist the former rebels of Lira and Apach Districts of Northern Uganda by contributing towards their rehabilitation, politicisation and resettlement. The objective of this program is to produce the culture of peace in the area, among the people.

The program will be expected to cover wide area of culture of peace, some of which will include:

    (i) History of politics and political economy  
       
    (ii)Skills in: - Leadership

    - Conflict management
    - Peace keeping and building
    - Community development
    - Project management
    - Business management
    - Finance management
    - Book keeping
    - Entrepreneurship
       
    (iii) Democratisation

    - Studying and understanding the constitution.
    - The Local Government Act
    - Education reform
       
    (iv) Security - Revolutionary Discipline

    - Role of residents
    - Community policy
    - Crime prevention
       

    (v) Agricultural and Environmental Modernisation,
    skills in:

    - Livestock
    - Poultry
    - Fisheries
    - Cotton/Coffee growing
    - High yielding seeds e.g. beans, maize
    - Oil seed production e.g. Soya, sunflower and groundnuts
    - Citrus fruits production
    - Cassava production
    - Banana production
    (vi) Religious Education by various Faiths  

    During this period, the community will be counselled to accept the former rebels back to the community thereby, keeping, building and making peace.

In conclusion, this program will bring sustainable development to the area and also produce the culture of peace among the people. If this program succeeds, it will be extended to the other areas that are covered by rebel activities.

Please refer to the attached map of Uganda, which shows area of coverage and the map of Lira. I am sorry I could not get the map of Apach quickly enough.

I wish you a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year. May you convey our Love and greetings to your family and friends. I look forward to seeing you in the near future.

Thank you.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs. Betty Okwir
Minister in the Office of the Vice President
and Woman Member of Parliament for Lira District.