YouSaid · the spoken record

Butagira

lines on the record: 167
first: 2003-07-23
most recent: 2009-01-23
sittings or episodes: 26
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“What is even more amazing is the fact that Canada has accepted to be part of the joint monitoring committee mechanism that is addressing the alleged concerns of Canada - that is, improving the humanitarian situation in northern Uganda and promoting a lasting solution to the conflict. As I speak, 2 Uganda is engaged in peace talks with the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) in Juba. As a result, we strongly object to this persistent and uncalled-for campaign by Canada. On a positive note, Uganda joins the rest of the speakers in welcoming the appointment of the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy. This came at a time when the international community craved someone to breathe fresh air into that Office.”
2006-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5494Resumption1 (2006) · source
“First of all, I take this opportunity to congratulate the French Republic for assuming the presidency of the Security Council for the month of July and wish the delegation the best in their tenure. I wish to thank the President for organizing this very important meeting and, through him, other members of the Council. Before proceeding, I am compelled at this juncture to refer to Canada's statement this morning, to the effect that the situation in northern Uganda should be put on the agenda of the Security Council. For reasons best known to themselves, Canada has led a relentless and aggressive campaign to put Uganda on the Council's agenda, as if to do so would produce some magic wonder.”
2006-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5494Resumption1 (2006) · source
“There are a few remnants on the run, but unless something is done to arrest and disarm them in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, they may regroup and pose a threat again. The United Nations, together with the countries of the region concerned, should act to arrest especially those who have been indicted by the International Criminal Court. The rest could be encouraged to take advantage of the amnesty which is in place in Uganda.”
2006-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5476 (2006) · source
“There is nothing of the Lord about it; the apt description should perhaps be "Satanic army". Under their leader, Joseph Kony, they have cut off people's limbs and lips, abducted and defiled children, and committed all manner of atrocities. For some time, they were regarded as a Ugandan affair, until recently when they started committing the same atrocities in the southern Sudan. Because of military pressure by Uganda's armed forces, with the cooperation of the Government of the Sudan, most of them have been flushed out of the Sudan and have relocated to Garamba National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They have thus become a regional threat. In Uganda, they have been defeated.”
2006-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5476 (2006) · source
“I shall be extremely brief and make only one point, but before doing so I wish to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Egeland for his usual concern about the fate of civilians caught in armed conflict, and also to register my thanks to him for the good working relationship existing between his Department and the Government of Uganda in an effort to address the humanitarian situation in northern Uganda. In Uganda, we View the deliberate targeting of civilians in armed conflict as totally unacceptable regardless of the motivation, be it the fight for freedom or otherwise. The international community must therefore resolve to fight that menace. For a long time, the people of northern Uganda have been the victims of vicious attacks perpetrated by the so-called Lord's Resistance Army.”
2006-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5476 (2006) · source
“In some instances where some relief workers have unfortunately lost their lives as the result of being targeted by the few rebels remaining, those concerned had chosen not to ask for Government escorts, against the Government's advice. No Government anywhere in the world can be expected to guarantee one hundred per cent security to its citizens. Otherwise, every country would be on the agenda of the Security Council. With the cooperation of Sudan and the region, soon the menace of Kony and his gang will be history. We appeal to the international community to assist in executing the warrants of arrest issued by the International Criminal Court against the top leadership of the Kony gang who have been indicted. Even at this late hour, the peace talks option is still on the table.”
2005-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5319Resumption1 (2005) · source
“The rebels' capacity to commit such acts has been completely curtailed. The few remnants of the rebel forces are on the run. These are positive developments for which the Government of Uganda should be commended, not demonized. What we need is international assistance to resettle the displaced people. Uganda, therefore, strongly resists any move to put northern Uganda on the agenda of the Security Council. It is not helpful at all. We ask the Council to reject such a suggestion as uncalled for. Lastly, in paragraph 30, the report states that the Government's inability to guarantee security continues to hamper access to northern Uganda. Certainly this is not correct. The Government has been providing escorts and, where the food programme has justified it, relief convoys as well.”
2005-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5319Resumption1 (2005) · source
“Northern Uganda is not in turmoil, so there should not be the remotest consideration of entertaining any idea of sending peacekeepers there, or any idea of putting Uganda on the agenda of the Security Council, as was suggested by Canada this morning. It is common knowledge that Canada has been leading a sustained, uncalled-for and unjustified crusade to have northern Uganda put on the Security Council agenda. It is indeed sad and ironic that when we are reaching the tail end of the rebellion there are calls for such a course of action. The military campaign so far has yielded tremendous results. For many months now, there have been no abductions whatsoever by the so-called Resistance Army, nor has there been any recruitment or attacks on internally displaced persons camps.”
2005-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5319Resumption1 (2005) · source
“With due respect, this is an alarmist statement. There is no such policy. When the Uganda Government unilaterally offered a ceasefire to rebels in order to encourage them to come to peace talks, it designated some areas where the rebels should assemble and nothing would happen to them. Any rebels found outside these areas would be treated as enemy combatants and dealt with accordingly. This restriction, however, was never meant to restrict the free movement of civilian population. Since the rebels did not respond positively to this good gesture for peace, the designated areas are no longer there. There is free movement of people throughout northern Uganda. The Government is effectively in control of the entire area. The few remaining bandits roaming around are being hunted down.”
2005-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5319Resumption1 (2005) · source
“Now that Kony has been militarily defeated and the Government is carrying out mop-up operations, these people will soon go back to their homes. In fact, the Government has announced the resettlement of about 700,000 people now in displaced persons camps in Arua and Teso to their home areas. The Government will need international assistance to resettle them. In this regard, the Uganda Government welcomes the recent launch of humanitarian appeals by the Secretary-General, whereby Uganda is earmarked to benefit from a grant of $223 million. It is asserted in paragraph 20 that the right to freedom of movement in northern Uganda has been effectively eliminated as the result of the Government's establishment of free-fire zones, where persons moving outside desert settlements or camps are automatically considered legitimate targets of attack.”
2005-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5319Resumption1 (2005) · source
“Most areas, especially in Gulu and Kitgum, are now safe, and people are returning home. The Government is carrying out reconstruction and rehabilitation programmes in those areas as well as a northern Uganda reconstruction programme. The departments of government are functioning. The town of Gulu, for instance, is one of the fastest-growing towns in the country. The conditions in the camps for internally displaced persons are far from perfect. The Government, in partnership with some non- governmental organizations, is addressing issues such as sanitation, security and provision of food. It should be remembered that these camps are only a temporary measure to protect civilians from marauding Kony rebels.”
2005-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5319Resumption1 (2005) · source
“Sadly, even when displaced persons in a refugee camp known as Barlonyo in northern Uganda were massacred in a most brutal manner, not even a word of condemnation came from this Council by way of a presidential statement. Some of the remnants of these rebels have now fled to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We call on the Security Council to have them arrested and disarmed. It is sad that very often, instead of blaming the aggressor, the victim - in this case Uganda - has been blamed for not ending the war. Let me now touch on some aspects of the report that make specific reference to Uganda. Paragraphs 8 and 17 refer to displaced persons. It is not correct to assert that 90 per cent of the population in the districts of Gulu, Pader and Kitgum are displaced.”
2005-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5319Resumption1 (2005) · source
“In Uganda, in addition to the usual causes of conflict, we have been fighting a fanatical, satanic rebel group, the self-styled Lord's Resistance Army. We have told the world that this group is not interested in peace and that they must be eliminated. Despite several peace proposals, Kony and his gang have not responded. Even now, the "celebrated" Betty Bigombe has not used a magic wand to bring Kony to the negotiating table. This morning Mr. Egeland reminded us that the military option is not a solution. We must be realistic. The group we are being urged to talk to does not want peace. They are simply seeking to manipulate the device of peace talks to give themselves a breather, to get supplies and reorganize themselves to carry out their murderous activities. The international community just watched as civilians were brutally killed.”
2005-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5319Resumption1 (2005) · source
“I will try to keep within five minutes, but if I speak for a minute more, it is because Uganda is mentioned many times in the report, and I need to respond. The delegation of Uganda is grateful to the Security Council for having afforded us the opportunity to take part in this important debate. I should like to thank the Secretary-General for the comprehensive report on this subject and for the commendable proposals to address the poor conditions of civilian populations caught up in armed conflicts. As we focus attention on addressing humanitarian crises, we should not forget to ask why there is conflict in the first place. In other words, the international community should address the root causes of conflicts, such as poverty and lack of democratic participation.”
2005-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5319Resumption1 (2005) · source
“With the cooperation of the Sudan, those who remain within the region and are terrorizing people are being dealt with. Soon, we hope, the countries of the region will cooperate with Uganda to execute the warrants of arrest that were issued against the top leaders of that ferocious group. I want to thank you, Sir, for the opportunity to address the Council.”
2005-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5315 (2005) · source
“The Ugandan Government is providing security escorts for humanitarian convoys to deliver relief, but it has also taken steps to decongest the camps. Seven hundred internally displaced people who are in the camps, are now being resettled. There are arrangements to take them back home. We appeal to the international community to assist in resettling the people, because they need tools, such as hoes and others, and seeds in order to resettle. That process is under way. I would just emphasize that the camps were established only temporarily, as a protection measure. We are conscious of the fact that conditions there are not good and the camps should, therefore, be gradually disbanded. Lastly, there is the issue of the rebels who were loyal to Koni - the fanatical rebels. I think that faction is more or less coming to an end.”
2005-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5315 (2005) · source
“There has been the proposal to establish a joint intelligence cell, wherein the countries concerned can share intelligence. There is a proposal by Uganda that there should be established, within the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, liaison officers who would primarily deal with the intelligence issues, as well as other issues, to locate these people and recommend how they can be dealt with. With regard to the situation in northern Uganda, I will have occasion to address that when the issue of civilians in armed conflict is before the Council. But let me say this, the Ugandan Government is now addressing the issue of the humanitarian situation in northern Uganda. It is not as alarming as it is sometimes portrayed.”
2005-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5315 (2005) · source
“Uganda would welcome that assistance, if the job can thus be accomplished. Our bottom line is that those people must be obliged to disarm. The era of voluntary disarmament has passed, but that does not also mean that the door is closed to those who wish to voluntarily come forth. In that regard, Uganda has established an amnesty office in Ituri, specifically for those who respond to voluntary disarmament. We are prepared to receive them and resettle them at home. But there must be a cut-off period, beyond which those people must obligatorily be disarmed. I am pleased to report that within the framework of the Tripartite Plus Joint Commission and within the framework of joint verification mechanisms, the region has moved quickly to address the issue of negative forces.”
2005-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5315 (2005) · source
“That shows the cooperation Uganda is extending in that regard. We therefore, would welcome equally robust action by MONUC with regard to foreign rebel forces on the soil of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In that regard, the proposed draft resolution before the Council to address the issue is most welcome. Our request, as contained in the letter of the Ministers of the Tripartite Plus Joint Commission, referred to by the representative of Rwanda, was specific in giving MONUC a robust mandate to disarm those negative forces. However, there may also be a problem where MONUC may not be able to directly disarm those people. Therefore, the possibility of empowering the forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and strengthening their capacity to handle the situation, assisted by MONUC, would be welcome.”
2005-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5315 (2005) · source
“Uganda expresses its concern that the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is functioning as a preserve for them: they are there, they are preserved, and nothing is being done to deal with them. Obviously, their presence continues to pose a threat to the region as well as to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Therefore, we welcome recent moves by the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) to head up forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to deal with these negative forces. Recently, as a result of the operations of the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) in Ituri against the local militias, some of the armed groups fled to Uganda. I am glad to say that Uganda responded quickly by arresting and disarming them.”
2005-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5315 (2005) · source
“At the outset, permit me to congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council and also to congratulate your predecessor. I shall be brief. First of all, I would like to commend and thank the Security Council delegation that visited the region, in particular Uganda. Let me place on record our praise for the able leadership of the Ambassador of France, who led that important delegation. Uganda is concerned at the presence of negative forces on the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The negative forces comprise both local militias in the Democratic Republic of the Congo that have failed to integrate and that pose a threat, and foreign rebel forces. Action is needed to deal with these negative forces.”
2005-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5315 (2005) · source
“The Uganda Government has gone the extra mile by offering to talk to the rebels and by declaring a unilateral ceasefire in certain areas in order to allow them to assemble. The leadership of the rebels has not responded yet. It is in their interest to do so. Otherwise, the military campaign has scored tremendous success with scores of abducted children rescued and large numbers of rebels surrendering. More than 700 rebels have been trained and absorbed into the Uganda armed forces as a sign of reconciliation. Soon, rebel activity in northern Uganda will be history. I close, Sir, by congratulating you on your assumption of the presidency of the Council. I wish you well.”
2004-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5096 (2004) · source
“My country is ready to play any role the international community may deem necessary. On the issue of armed groups in Ituri, which are outside the transitional process, it is important that they be integrated in the Transitional Government. My President has already informed the Council of the understanding reached between him and President Kabila on that issue. Uganda does not believe in or condone impunity. However, caution should be exercised here lest the vigorous pursuit of the alleged perpetrators drive them underground and impede the process of integration. Crime has no statute of limitation, and those involved could, if need be, always be dealt with later, once institutions of government have been strongly established. Lastly, the Council delegation touched on the humanitarian situation in northern Uganda.”
2004-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5096 (2004) · source
“With strong authority, issues such as the alleged illegal exploitation of the country's natural resources can be controlled. Uganda now believes that any threat posed to neighbouring countries by negative forces in the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo can be addressed through the existing tripartite mechanisms, as well as through bilateral and regional agreements, with the involvement of the African Union where this is necessary. In that way, the sovereignty of States of the region would be safeguarded. I would like to emphasize a point made by my President concerning the greater involvement of regional players such as the parties to the 1999 Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement in the international peace processes under way in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
2004-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5096 (2004) · source
“The international community, through the United Nations, should not only monitor closely the implementation of those agreements and follow closely the roles and activities of the States of the region, as recommended in the report (S/2004/934), but also should give help where necessary and be actively involved. As His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda told the delegation, close involvement of regional States in the affairs of the region, in close partnership with the United Nations, has borne fruit and could serve as a model of cooperation. Uganda has a considerable stake in the stability of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and believes that, in order to achieve durable peace, that country needs a strong central Government with a strong army to assert its authority over the entire territory.”
2004-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5096 (2004) · source
“Seeing is believing. Members of the Security Council delegation to Central Africa visited the region. They saw and heard what was going on with respect to the security situation in the region. They have come back convinced that the region has done a lot to promote peace and security. Their optimism is not misplaced. I congratulate Ambassador Jean-Marc de La Sabliere, the head of the mission, and all the other members of the Council delegation on their efforts to forge close working ties with the leadership of the countries of the region. The countries of the region have assumed ownership of the work to stabilize the region, as epitomized by what is going on in Burundi. Through bilateral and tripartite mechanisms, the countries of the region are addressing the issues of security, peace and development.”
2004-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5096 (2004) · source
“Uganda has on numerous occasions, both in the open debates of the Council and in its relevant letters to the Council, which are part of this body's documents, called on the international community to institute such measures. My delegation is therefore glad that the Security Council has now come up with such proposals. We are also pleased that those measures are under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations. We call on all States to work together to eliminate the menace of terrorism.”
2004-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5059Resumption1 (2004) · source
“We expect States to comply with such an arrest warrant by arresting said criminals if they happen to be on their territory. But we are saddened by some voices calling for Uganda to withdraw the case from the Court on the grounds that that would encourage Kony and his gang to attend peace talks. We are not impressed by that argument. There should be no compromise. Impunity must be punished if terrorist acts are to be discouraged. Resolution 1566 (2004) calls for more effective procedures to bring to justice those involved in terrorist activities through prosecution or extradition, the freezing of their financial assets, preventing their movement through the territories of Member States and preventing them from being supplied with arms and related materials of any kind.”
2004-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5059Resumption1 (2004) · source
“Although the resolution falls short of coming out with a global blacklist of terror suspects and groups, it has nevertheless established a Security Council working group that will work on measures and procedures to deal with terror suspects outside of Al Qaeda and the Taliban. It is Uganda's hope that that process will be concluded soon, so that the likes of LRA or similar rebels are dealt with conclusively. Terrorists must be brought to justice in order to discourage a culture of impunity. In Uganda we have asked the International Criminal Court to investigate and to have Joseph Kony, the leader of the LRA, and his gang prosecuted. Investigations are now taking place, and it is our hope that an international arrest warrant will soon be issued against them.”
2004-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5059Resumption1 (2004) · source
“Internally displaced persons will soon go back to their homes. Although we still need humanitarian assistance, the situation is not as bleak as the one painted by our detractors. Children are going to school in the region, and the Government recently paid school fees for all students whose parents are in camps. We are grateful to agencies such as UNICEF for their assistance in that regard. Resolution 1566 (2004) has made it clear that all intentional acts of violence against civilians are criminal and unjustifiable, whatever the motivation - whether political, philosophical, ideological, racial, ethnic or religious. That resolve on the part of the international community, as epitomized by the resolution, is commendable.”
2004-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5059Resumption1 (2004) · source
“Not surprisingly, they have not responded, as they have no political agenda. Our offer to them still stands, if they lay down their arms. We also have an amnesty in place. Those who have responded have been welcomed and reintegrated into society. In the meantime, the war against them is almost over, with large numbers of rebel commanders captured or killed. I can do no better than to quote the words of one of the top rebel commanders to have been captured, Brigadier Kenneth Banya. He said, in appealing to his boss to respond to the amnesty, "Don't let the amnesty period expire while you are still in the bush. Time for rebellion is over. Don't go back to Sudan, where you will surely die." Many abducted children and adults, including the terrorist leader's wives, have been freed.”
2004-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5059Resumption1 (2004) · source
“Yet terrorism is terrorism, wherever it occurs and regardless of who commits it. Now, with the recent brutal murder of Russian school children, the point has been brought home that there should be no lull in the fight against terrorists. The delegation of Uganda therefore welcomes resolution 1566 (2004), which was long overdue. Before I comment on that resolution, let me say the following. Uganda has been pressured to talk to the murderous LRA rebels. Unfortunately, that has the effect of appeasing and encouraging the rebels in their murderous adventure. Terrorists should be fought, and not appeased. The crusaders of the gospel of peace talks have not, in the same vein, urged a dialogue with Bin Laden. Sometimes the double standards make one sick. That said, Uganda has nevertheless offered to talk with the rebels.”
2004-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5059Resumption1 (2004) · source
“For some years, Uganda has been fighting a lone battle in the northern part of the country against a brutal, vicious rebel group known as the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). The group has killed, maimed or mutilated children as well as adults. They have no political agenda beyond sheer barbarism and cannibalism. Those horrors have not been on the radar of the international community, despite the fact that they are well known and documented. It took the events of 11 September 2001 for the world to realize that terrorism was a threat to international peace and security. In the wake of the attacks of 11 September, the Security Council adopted resolution 1373 (2001), on counter-terrorism. The resolution was mainly aimed at Al Qaeda and the Taliban, and was limited in scope.”
2004-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5059Resumption1 (2004) · source
“Lastly, let me say a word about the right to self- defence, which is enshrined in the Charter. There was a time when this was not an issue, since aggressive attacks would take place on the territory of the State defending itself. The problem arises, however, when a State has to defend itself on the territory of the offending State. Surely a State has a right to nip attacks in the bud and for that purpose carry out a pre-emptive attack. The problem is, where should the line be drawn between acts of aggression and acts aimed at warding off immediate threats of attack? The international community should elaborate on this issue, since it has a direct bearing on conflict resolution.”
2004-10-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5052Resumption1 (2004) · source
“The Charter of the United Nations places primary responsibility for maintaining peace and security on the shoulders of the Security Council. For practical reasons, in some instances that responsibility has been devolved to regional organizations. In that regard, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the nascent Peace and Security Council of the African Union have played an important role in maintaining peace and security on the African continent. However, that devolution should not mean abdication. We see the dangerous trend of a hands-off policy by the Security Council in peacekeeping operations in Africa. That trend should be discouraged. Both the Security Council and regional organizations should work in partnership where appropriate.”
2004-10-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5052Resumption1 (2004) · source
“Trade, not loans, should be at the centre of the international development agenda. This does not mean, however, that we should do away with loans. Loans and grants should supplement trade. The developed countries should live up to the promises they made at various international United Nations conferences, such as those set out in the Monterrey Consensus. Lastly, on this issue, debts for developing countries, both multilateral and bilateral, should be entirely written off in order to kick-start meaningful economic development. Trials by tribunals set up by the United Nations are slow-moving. Not only are they costly: justice delayed is justice denied. The United Nations should delegate some of the cases to be tried by local courts with international observers.”
2004-10-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5052Resumption1 (2004) · source
“I, therefore, commend the report of the International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty co- chaired by Gareth Evans and Mohamed Sahnoun, which elaborated on this concept. Sovereignty should not be used as a cloak to cover gross human rights abuses by nations. Attention should now be focused on defining the parameters of that right to intervene on humanitarian grounds so that it is firmly embedded in international law. The causes of conflict should be addressed, poverty in particular. Justice and the rule of law mean that all nations, big and small, developed and developing, should benefit equally from the benefits of globalization. For developing countries, this implies, for instance, access to international markets for their products, with the elimination of trade barriers.”
2004-10-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5052Resumption1 (2004) · source
“Both the mighty and the weak must be treated equally. In extremely rare cases, national interest may justify a departure from recognized norms, but such departure should be well grounded in law and should be the exception rather than the rule. In this way, the United Nations would gain credibility. The rule of law should also mean that the United Nations does not stand idly by while some States, either through failed systems - that is, failed States - or through an inability to act, are unable to protect their citizens from being butchered or otherwise grossly abused. Indeed, the notion of sovereignty should imply the obligation on the part of the State to protect its citizens. Where this is lacking, the international community should intervene on humanitarian grounds.”
2004-10-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5052Resumption1 (2004) · source
“Through numerous General Assembly and Security Council resolutions, the United Nations is at the centre of the globalized world and has done remarkably well in advancing world order and security, despite a few setbacks. The Charter of the United Nations remains a beacon of hope. All those instruments add up to a code of conduct in conflict and post-conflict situations, especially in dealing with the culture of impunity. One of the subjects that fascinated me when I was studying law at Harvard Law School, was the subject of exemption clauses in the field of contracts. An array of ingenious devices was devised to circumvent the application of exemption clauses. Thus, exemption clauses were not looked upon favourably. In the field of the application of international law, there should be no exemption clauses.”
2004-10-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5052Resumption1 (2004) · source
“The rule of law should be viewed in the wider context of the economic and social setting. Allow me to congratulate the Secretary- General on his report (S/2004/6l6), which is excellent, especially on the issue of adequate funding for the reform of the justice system. Uganda fully endorses the recommendations in that report. The United Nations, over the years, has endeavoured to put in place an institutional architecture to regulate the conduct of States, based on the rule of law, respect for human rights and the promotion of good governance: the prerequisites for conflict prevention. Thus, an array of conventions, such as the International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Statute of the International Criminal Court, and so forth, have been elaborated.”
2004-10-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5052Resumption1 (2004) · source
“The Government of Uganda has provided substantial resources for post- conflict reconstruction in northern Uganda as it closes in on Mr. Kony and his bandits. For instance, all children going to secondary school whose parents are in displaced persons camps are to have free education. Children in primary schools in the area, and indeed throughout the country, are to be provided with a free lunch of porridge and milk. Money has been set aside for renting tractors to engage in agricultural production. The Government invites civil society organizations to take part in those and other reconstruction programmes by providing personnel and funds.”
2004-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4993Resumption1 (2004) · source
“Aside from partnering with Governments, civil society organizations should work closely with United Nations agencies in the field in building post-conflict institutions. It would be useful, for example, to have a dialogue with the relevant civil society organizations before peacekeeping missions are sent into the field, in order to work out effective programmes. Before I conclude, I would like to thank civil society organizations for their role in providing humanitarian assistance to the people displaced in northern Uganda as a result of the untold atrocities visited on the population by Joseph Kony's murderous rebel group. Once again, we call on the international community to rein in Mr. Kony and his gang so that their crimes do not go unpunished.”
2004-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4993Resumption1 (2004) · source
“All manner of civil society organizations have sprung up, some with dubious credentials. There should be coherence and relevancy. To achieve this, concerned countries should put in place a regulatory framework which would provide harmonization and effectiveness without interfering in the internal structure of such organizations. Non-governmental organizations should not behave as if they were governments unto themselves. They can play a vital role in providing useful information and advice to Governments in fashioning effective post-conflict policies. For that purpose, there should be a forum in which Governments and civil society organizations can exchange ideas. The results of those exchanges could lead to informed decisions, including legislation.”
2004-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4993Resumption1 (2004) · source
“Civil society organizations should engage in activities that would promote reconciliation, peace and stability. For instance, their role in promoting good governance and the observance of human rights can be crucial, such as their participation in election monitoring, illiteracy campaigns and civic education. More attention should be paid to the role of women in post-conflict peace-building. Civil society organizations can organize women's groups and set up micro-financing institutions to finance women's enterprises in agriculture and industry in the developing countries. They could also organize vocational training. However, a proliferation of civil society organizations should be avoided. In some cases, post- conflict peace-building has become an industry.”
2004-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4993Resumption1 (2004) · source
“I have given this example to illustrate the important role played by civil society in conflict areas. The United Nations and, indeed, the Security Council have recognized the important role played by civil society organizations in post-conflict peace- building and reconstruction. Their role in providing humanitarian assistance and relief is well known. They have provided social infrastructure such as schools, dispensaries and sanitation. However, to be successful in post-conflict situations, civil society organizations must be partners with Governments. Their role should be complementary to that of Governments. They should not engage in activities that would undermine their impartiality and thus be seen in some quarters as spies or as siding with subversive elements.”
2004-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4993Resumption1 (2004) · source
“We visited an area called Thiet. The effect of merciless wars was evident. There were no services, schools or health centres to speak of. There was no government. The surviving population was hungry, and children were undernourished and in rags. In that desolate situation there was a ray of hope, and that was the limited service provided by a non- governmental organization, World Vision. They provided water by sinking boreholes and digging dams. They built health centres. In fact, we stayed overnight in their camp. They cooperated with the Sudanese People's Liberation Army, which had an effective presence on the ground. The officials of the organization lived in fear of aerial bombardment, and all around their camps they had dug shelters. Yet, because of their call to serve humanity, they risked their lives to work in southern Sudan.”
2004-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4993Resumption1 (2004) · source
“First of all, let me, Madam President, congratulate you on the able manner in which you are chairing this meeting and congratulate the Philippines presidency on organizing this important debate. Uganda joins you, Madam President, and the members of the Security Council in expressing disgust and shock at the death of the national of the Republic of Korea, and especially at the brutal way he was killed. Terrorism is a menace to the international community, and the international community must join hands in fighting this menace. Whatever political motivation the terrorists have, the end does not justify the means. In 2001, I was a member of the mediation team in the peace talks between the Government of the Sudan and the Sudanese People's Liberation Movement and Army. We visited southern Sudan to assess the conflict on the ground.”
2004-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4993Resumption1 (2004) · source
“Besides cooperating with Governments, the relevant United Nations bodies should extend help to regional and subregional organizations dealing with conflicts, such as the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States, the East African Community, and others. Lastly, the United Nations, through the Security Council and in cooperation with the various actors, should formulate and put in place measures, such as early warning mechanisms, poverty eradication and good governance, that would prevent conflicts from occurring in the first place.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990Resumption1 (2004) · source
“In that respect, we commend the African Union, which has enshrined in its charter the right to intervene in certain circumstances, notwithstanding the issue of sovereignty. There is also a need to establish good rapport with the Governments of countries where conflicts happen to be found. Everything possible, for instance, should be done to avoid the suspicion that the persons writing reports on those conflicts have some hidden agenda, political or otherwise. For instance, reports on children in conflict in Uganda have lacked some objectivity, as pointed out by us in various communications to the Council. Contrary to the assertion, for instance, that the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) recruit child soldiers, the truth of the matter is that UPDF does not recruit children into the army.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990Resumption1 (2004) · source
“As the Secretary-General has pointed out, some conflicts have been forgotten, whereas other, high-profile conflicts have elicited a quick response from the international community. I should like to place on record our thanks to humanitarian agencies and the international community, which have provided assistance to the people of northern Uganda who are caught in armed conflict. There is a question regarding failed States or States that are unwilling to protect their citizens from the scourge of conflict. The question is, should the international community watch as civilians are butchered, maimed and brutalized? There should be an obligation on the part of the international community to intervene and protect those people. The right to protect should transcend the notion of sovereignty.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990Resumption1 (2004) · source