By East Africa Correspondent Martin Dawes

The Ugandan Government has opened the way for the country's former dictator, Milton Obote, to return from exile.

The BBC's Martin Dawes: Dr Obote could face legal action

During his second period of rule after the bloody regime of Idi Amin, Doctor Obote was accused of perpetrating massacres.

His government was eventually overthrown by a rebellion led by the current president, Yoweri Museveni.

Dr Obote has been living mostly in Lusaka, Zambia, since he was ousted in July 1985.

President Museveni has been in power for 13 years

The government of President Museveni has always said he was free to return. But Dr Obote had vowed never to go back while the man who led the insurrection against him remained in power.

However, reports in Kampala say Dr Obote has agreed to drop his previous conditions and retire from politics.

Uganda's Prime Minister Professor Apolo Nsibambi told the BBC that Dr Obote would be provided with suitable security and that as far as the government was concerned, his return could be unconditional.

'Haunted by mistakes'

The prime minister said that while a general pardon could be given, this would not stop individuals attempting to sue the former leader in the civil courts for damages.

He added that Dr Obote would discover Uganda had changed since the 1980s, and might well find himself haunted by his mistakes.

• Kampala's 'The Monitor' newspaper said a proposal on Dr Obote's return had been presented to the cabinet by Minister for the Presidency Dr Ruhakana Rugunda.

  It said the cabinet had decided that Mr Obote would enjoy all the benefits provided for a former head of state under the 1995 constitution.

  The paper quoted a senior minister saying the former president would probably be back in the country before the middle of next year.