There is still optimism that the ceasefire announced by the Lord’s Resistance Army rebels over the weekend will provide a chance to end the 16-year-old war in northern Uganda. After a meeting between a group of religious and cultural leaders and senior rebel commanders, the LRA announced that it is to cease ambushes, stop abductions and stop attacking government soldiers. Lieutenant General Salim Saleh, who is on the presidential peace team, welcomed the move and said he will soon hold face to face talks with the rebels. But there is no sign that the military operation against the rebels is ending. In the northern town of Kitgum which has been hit hard by the insurgency in recent weeks, there is still an element of disbelief. Full Story