The Gulu Ceasefire

(2 February 1994)

THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UGANDA GOVERNMENT AND THE LORD’S RESISTANCE ARMY

This ceasefire agreement is made pursuant to the peace initiatives conducted during diverse dates between May 1992 and January 1994, as a means of finding a non-violent solution in the Northern Uganda districts of Gulu, Kitgum and neighbouring areas in the region, between National Resistance Minister of State, Resident in the North, Hon. Mrs Betty Atuku Bigombe with National Resistance Army 4th Division Commander Colonel Samuel Wasswa on the one hand and the Lord’s Resistance Army leader H.H. Joseph Kony and his High Command on the other.

We,

The National Resistance Army and the Lord’s Resistance Army (hereinafter referred to as ‘NRA’ and ‘LRA’ respectively), parties to this agreement,

Appreciating the necessity for viable and sustainable peace in this region of Uganda that has been bedevilled by insecurity for a long time now,

Recalling the desire of both the people and the government for peace in the region and mindful of endless conflicts that fail to improve the plight of our people in the region,

Convinced that any continuation of armed conflict prevents development in this region,

Welcoming the commitment to, and participation in, the search for peace in the region by the government of the National Resistance Movement and the Lord’s Resistance Army leadership,

Do now solemnly proclaim for and in the name of peace in the region, the urgent necessity:

• Of bringing to a most speedy end, armed conflicts in all its forms and manifestation.
• Of restoring total peace, security and good order throughout the region and laying groundwork for that goal. And to this end declare and agree that: After the signing of this agreement there shall be formalized a ceasefire on the following terms:
• With effect from 14:00 hours on the 2nd day of February 1994, hostilities between the two parties to this agreement formally cease forthwith.
• Atrocities in the form of abductions, highway robberies, ambushes, real and all their disguised forms and manifestations cease henceforth.

All subsequent peace negotiations between the government and the Lord’s Resistance Army will be channelled through and handled by the Office of the Minister of State, Resident in the North and that of the 4th Division Commander, National Resistance Army.

In the event of violation(s) of the ceasefire, punishment will be meted out to the individual member of the force concerned, accruing to the rules of the force and the laws of the country.

This ceasefire agreement will be implemented according to he programme of schedule attached herewith. In witness whereof the parties hereunto have, through their representatives, set their hands at Lacekocot this 2nd day of February 1994.

Col. Samuel WASSWA
Division Commander
4th Division
National Resistance Army
George Komakech OMONA
Field Commander
Lord’s Resistance Army

In the presence and witnessed by:
Hon. Mrs. Betty BIGOMBE
Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister, Resident in the North
The District Administrator, Gulu
The District Administrator, Kitgum
Mr Yusuf Okwonga ADEK
Mr Okot OGONI
Mr Okidi ANGOL
Mr George William LUGAI

APPENDIX A
CEASEFIRE IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAMME SCHEDULE

Pursuant to the ceasefire Agreement signed on 2nd February 1994, the Lord’s Resistance Army undertakes:

1. To regroup all their forces, and this shall equally incorporate the duty of:
(a) Locating and assembling casualties and other LRA members in sickbays;
(b) Collecting all LRA military equipment and hardware from where they were hidden;
(c) Documenting men and women under LRA control;
(d) Upon orderly regrouping, LRA will inform government and the 4th Division Commander for the purpose of seeking area of assembly.

2. (a) To, in conjunction with district authorities of Gulu and Kitgum, conduct public rallies in all counties for the purpose of explaining the peace process to the public. During this process two elders shall be nominated from each Division for the purpose of performing traditional cleansing rituals.
(b) LRA leader H.H. Joseph Kony will consequently thereafter meet all the nominated elders to draw a programme for the cleansing rituals.
(c) Performing for the rituals aforementioned to take place immediately after the meeting in 2(b).
Delegate members from both sides for the peace talks and discussing modalities for the peace accord. To expeditiously conclude the peace process within five months from the date the ceasefire agreement becomes effective, LRA agrees that mobilisation of elders and performing rituals shall take place within two months from now and the final peace talks to take place within one month before the conclusion of the process.

A ceasefire Implementation Committee constituted by both sides shall periodically review progress on all points every month.

If however not all is achieved within the stipulated time frame, both sides will review the time schedule with a possibility of an extension of one month within which all will have been accomplished.

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