Peace Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Uganda and the National Rescue Front II (Yumbe Peace Agreement)

• Country/entity

  Uganda
  
• Region

  Africa (excl MENA)
  
• Agreement name

  Peace Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Uganda and the National Rescue Front II (Yumbe Peace Agreement)
• Date

  24 Dec 2002
• Agreement status

  Multiparty signed/agreed
• Interim arrangement

  Yes
• Agreement/conflict level

  Intrastate/intrastate conflict ( Ugandan Conflicts (1970 - ) )
• Stage

  Ceasefire/related
• Conflict nature

  Government
• Peace process

  Uganda peace process
• Parties

  Rt. Hons ERIYA KATEGAYA, The First Deputy Prime Minister and Minster of Internal Affairs For and On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Uganda.
  
  Maj. Ge. ALI A. BAMUZE, Chairman Uganda National Rescue Front II High Command For and on behalf of the Uganda National Rescue Front II.
• Third parties

  Signed in the presence of Maj. Gen. Yoweri Museveni (for Government) and LT. Col. Amis Akuaku (UNRF II)
• Description

  The Peace Agreement signed between the Government of the Republic of Uganda and the National Rescue Front II (UNRF II) (also known as the Yumbe Peace Agreement) is a formal ceasefire agreement committed to peace, stability and development in West Nile in particular and in Uganda at large. Key provisions include, dissolution of UNRF II and the demobilisation, reintegration and resettlement of ex-combatants.

• Agreement document

  UG_021224_Yumbe.pdf | Download PDF

Groups

Gender

State definition

Governance

Power sharing

Human rights and equality

Rights related issues

Rights institutions

Justice sector reform

Socio-economic reconstruction

Land, property and environment

Security sector

Transitional justice

Implementation

THE PEACE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA AND THE UGANDA NATIONAL RESCUE FRONT II

THIS PEACE AGREEMENT is made between the GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA and the UGANDA NATIONAL RESCUE FRONT Il, the Parties, pursuant to the Ceasefire Agreement signed between the Parties on the 15th day of June 2002 and to the Peace Talks held from 16th December 2002 to 22nd December 2002 at State Lodge, Arua

WE, the Parties to this Agreement:

AWARE that Uganda in general and West Nile in particular has for a long time suffered political, social and economic instability;

CONSCIOUS that this instability has impaired development in West Nile and in Uganda at large;

RECALLING the desire of both the people and the Parties hereto for peace in the region;

MINDFUL that any continuation of armed conflict shall perpetually prevent development in the region;

BELIEVING that the process of restoring peace, stability and development is now irreversible, as reflected in the spirit of mutual cooperation, trust, and goodwill between the Parties at the peace talks:

NOW DO SOLEMNLY PROCLAIM for and in the name of peace, stability and development in West Nile in particular and in Uganda at

large, the urgent necessity:

• of bringing to a speedy and permanent end of armed conflict in all it's fonns and manifestations.

• of bringing total peace, security and good order throughout the region.

AND TO THIS END DECLARE AND AGREE AS FOLLOWS:

ARTICLE I

CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES

With effect from the signing of this agreement this 24th day of December 2002, all fornis of hostilities between the Parties to this Agreement totally, pennanently, and unequivocally cease.

ARTICLE II

DISARMAMENT

Immediately after the signing of this agreement the UNRF II shall hand over all arms and ammunitions in its possession together with their inventory to the Uganda Peoples' Defense Forces (UPDF).

ARTICLE III

DISSOLUTION OF UNRF Il AND THE DEMOBILISATION, REINTEGRATION AND RESETTLEMENT OF EXCOMBATANTS

1. With effect from the signing of this Agreement, the UNRF II shall for all intents and purposes stand dissolved.

2. Demobilisation and reintegration of the ex-combatants who are to resettle in civilian life shall be done concurrently within thirty (30) days after the signing of this Agreement.

During that period the ex-combatants shall stay at Bidi-Bidi Camp as the Amnesty Commission processes their Amnesty Certificates and initial resettlement packages.

3. Government shall provide a sum of UGX 4,200,000,000 (Uganda Shillings Four Billion and Two Hundred Million) for the resettlement of all UNRF II ex-combatants.

4. The sum stated in Article III (3) above shall be made available within one year from the date of signing this Agreement.

This period may however be extended if the circumstances relating to the mobilization of funds so warrant.

ARTICLE V

DEVELOPMENT IN WEST NILE

1. UNRF II recognizes and appreciates on-going Government programmes in West Nile and calls upon Government to expedite their completion.

2. The Government recognizes the development programmes identified by the UNRF II as priority areas as reflected in the proceedings of the peace talks and agrees to embark on their implementation as soon as practicable.

3. The Government shall in conjunction with the Committee referred to in Article VII (2) herein convene the stakeholders' conference mentioned in Article VIII of the Ceasefire Agreement within four (4) months from the date of signing this Agreement.

ARTICLE VI

NATIONAL ISSUES

UNRF II recognizes steps taken by Government towards peaceful resolution of conflicts in other parts of the country and calls upon all other armed groups to abandon war and embark on peaceful resolution of conflicts.

5. The UNRF II Chairman shall nominate ten (10) members of UNRF II whom Government shall :

facilitate to pursue further education.

6. The UNRF II Chairman shall further nominate sixteen (16) members of the UNRF Il not covered in Article III (5) above whom Government shall assist to find gaμiful employment.

7. The UNRF II Chairman shall be provided with such assistance, as the Government shall deein appropriate.

8. Government shall facilitate the One Hundred and Thirty-Five (135) Child Soldiers who are interested in going back to school.

ARTICLE IV

INTEGRATION OF SELECTED UNRF II OFFICERS AND MEN INTO THE UPDF

1. Immediately after the signing of this Agreement, UNRF II ex-combatants who opt and qualify to join the UPDF shall be integrated into integrated into the UPDF.

2. It is agreed that the ex-combatants referred to in Article IV (1) above shall be issued with their Amnesty certificates after the signing of this Agreement and thereafter their initial resettlement packages shall be made available as soon as practicable.

3. The UNRF II officers who wish and qualify to join UPDF shall be allowed to retain their current ranks subject to passing appropriate examinations set and conducted by the UPDF.

ARTICLE V

DEVELOPMENT IN WEST NILE

1. UNRF II recognizes and appreciates ongoing Government programmes in West Nile and calls upon Government to expedite their completion.

2. The Government recognizes the development programmes identified by the UNRF II as priority areas as reflected in the proceedings of the peace talks and agrees to embark on their implementation as soon as practicable.

3. The Government shall in conjunction with the Committee referred to in Article VII (2) herein convene the stakeholders' conference mentioned in Article VIII of the Ceasefire Agreement within four (4) months from the date of signing this Agreement.

ARTICLE VI

NATIONAL ISSUES

UNRF II recognizes steps taken by Government towards peaceful resolution of conflicts in other parts of the country and calls upon all other armed groups to abandon war and embark on peaceful resolution of conflicts.

ARTICLE VII

IMPLEMENTATION

1. All disbursements relating to this Agreement shall be made by Government and other interested parties.

2. On dissolution of the UNRF II, the former members of the Front shall form a Committee through which they shall liaise with Government on matters relating to the implementation of this Agreement.

3. The Government shall whenever appropriate grant clearance for the Committee to solicit for funds from third parties to cover its

operational expenses.

4. The Government agrees to provide office space for the Committee.

ARTICLE VIII

MISCELLANEOUS

1. The Parties recognize and appreciate the invaluable role played by the Aringa-Obongi Peace Initiative Committee (AROPIC) in the peace process and llccordingly agree that a sum of UGX 200,000,000/= (Uganda Shillings Two Hundred Million) be extended to AROPIC to cover outstanding bills and winding-up expenses.

2. The Parties further recognize and appreciate the invaluable role played by the Government's development partners.

3. Government undertakes to facilitate the return of all UNRF II ex-combatants currently living in Juba and Khartoum, Sudan as soon as possible.