KAMPALA, Uganda, July 26 (UPI) -- Talks between the Ugandan government and the rebel Lord's Resistance Army have been delayed by the militants' failure to raise travel funds.
Martin Ojul, the head of the LRA delegation at the talks, said the group's failure to raise $2 million in travel funds and raise communication with commanders in forest hideouts is causing a delay in the resumption of the talks, the New Vision (Kampala, Uganda) reported Thursday. He said the group is unable to get enough money from donors to allow 500 people to visit rebel leaders in Congo's Garamba forest.
"We are still stuck," Ojul said. "We want funds to ferry people from northern Uganda to Garamba and to send people abroad to do research so that we can build a strong case of justice and reconciliation."
Ruhakana Rugunda, head negotiator for the Ugandan government, confirmed the postponement of the talks.
"Consultations on the government side are in advanced stages," he told the New Vision.
"We are supposed to resume on July 31 but we cannot due to some issues. A new date will be fixed in due course in consultation with the mediation team and both parties."
