Written by Baguma Tinkasimire Richard, General Secretary, UNA Uganda

The Peace Building Commission is a very welcome initiative and it is particularly important for us in Uganda situated in the Great Lakes Region of Africa which is plagued by conflict.

Uganda has been a theatre of a raging brutal rebellion led by the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) whose leaders are indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Besides, Uganda has also been associated in various ways with the conflicts in the region.

However the governments in the Great Lakes Region have generally been critical of the role (or lack of it) of the United Nations in resolving the conflicts and pursuing effective post conflict strategies. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and Rwandese Leader Paul Kagame have for example publicly described the UN in unflattering terms like "superficial", "useless".

Taking the example of the LRA rebellion in Northern and Eastern Uganda, several peace initiatives have been undertaken albeit unsuccessfully. Among the biggest challenges to these peace initiatives are narrow (selfish) interests of the stakeholders involved as well as the competition for profile, resources, recognition, etc among the peace activists.

These are challenges facing the PBC. Therefore mechanisms and strategies to tackle these challenges must be developed early enough in the life of the Commission to avoid paralysis and hamper its effectiveness.