Uganda

Mr. Reed
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the security situation in Uganda; and if he will make a statement. [125255]

Mr. Mullin
We are concerned about the deteriorating security situation in the north of Uganda following an upsurge in violence by the rebel group, the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). We are particularly concerned about the impact on the local population and the recent  abductions of school children. While we understand the Ugandan Government's aim of combating the LRA militarily, we have, through our High Commission in Kampala, encouraged them to consider all alternative methods of bringing the conflict to an end. We are also consulting with other donor partners in Uganda on ways to help resolve the conflict.