Fresh peace proposals for Uganda

The army has resumed hostilities after a truce

Uganda's government is to put fresh peace proposals to Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebels.

Chief negotiator Betty Bigombe told the BBC the proposals would be handed to the LRA on Wednesday, but gave no details of what they would contain.

On Tuesday the Ugandan military re-occupied a ceasefire zone between itself and the LRA, saying it wanted to prevent rebel attacks on civilians.

After 18 years of fighting there is little trust between the two sides.

Gloom

A spokesman for President Yoweri Museveni welcomed the new development but sounded pessimistic.

"We have not closed the door to serious talks - but until they happen the fighting continues," said John Nagenda.

Some 1.6m people have fled their homes because of the fighting

He also said he doubted whether LRA leader Joseph Kony had any intention of ending the 18-year war.

"I don't think he is serious - he won't come to the negotiating table."

Earlier this week the government refused to extend a unilateral ceasefire.

President Museveni said that hostilities had resumed and peace talks should take place abroad.

The LRA has abducted an estimated 20,000 children during the conflict, making the boys fight and the girls work as sex slaves, and of mutilating and burning its civilian victims.