Ugandan Discussions
MLAs will tonight debate a report from the Assembly's all party international development group which calls on Stormont to develop its own strategy in this area. Amongst the suggestions is a proposal for Northern Ireland to partner with North East Uganda.
This used to be an area plagued by the fearsome LRA, the Lords Resistance Army, notorious for its barbarity and use of child soldiers, although in recent years the LRA has been forced into other neighbouring countries. The Foreign Office still advises against travel to North East Uganda, describing lawlessness there as endemic, with frequent and unpredictable tribal clashes.
The strategy suggests partnering with Uganda because:
"Like Northern Ireland, there have been problems with sectarianism for many centuries (the 4 main tribal groups have had long standing and often bloody conflicts).
Like Northern Ireland, Uganda has just emerged from a long period of conflict and is beginning to develop a new identity for itself on the world stage.
Like Northern Ireland, young people and those living on the margins have been disproportionately affected by the conflict and many have been caught up in para-militarism (Lord's Resistance Army).
Like Northern Ireland, Uganda has a high percentage of young people with 50% of the country being under 14. It has, in fact, the second highest birth rate in the world.
Like Northern Ireland, there is a high level of agricultural employment and activity."
P.S. And I am aware of what Private Eye used to refer to as "Ugandan Discussions", but couldn't resist the headline.
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