Madam, - President Museveni of Uganda has been and gone. Aware of the criticisms of Uganda's role in the war in the Congo - which has resulted in the deaths of over 3 million people, either directly or indirectly, and the illegal exploitation of the mineral resources of that country - he came to reassure us about these matters.
Having had the opportunity to meet him, at the invitation of the Ugandan Embassy, and to put to him Trócaire's deep concerns on these issues, I was left far from reassured. President Museveni is not a man used to being challenged about his policies.
Your Editorial of November 12th rightly urges caution in our future dealings with Uganda. However, I believe Ireland must be more engaged in addressing the ongoing problems of Central Africa, and the Congo in particular.
A scourge of Africa for many decades now has been the culture of impunity which has allowed political leaders to get away with mass murder in many countries. It is time for the international community to bring to justice those responsible for the slaughter in the Congo. A tribunal of inquiry should be established and the process of bringing the perpetrators to justice should begin.
Unless there is a clear declaration that justice will be done the survivors are likely to take these matters into their own hands and so the cycle of conflict will continue. Ireland, in its forthcoming presidency of the EU, is well positioned to promote such a tribunal.
Such a measure will do far more to promote peace and justice in the region than cutting off Irish aid to the ordinary people of Uganda. - Yours, etc.,
JUSTIN KILCULLEN, Director, Trócaire, Maynooth, Co Kildare.