Uganda, March 17 -- Thirty six years ago (March 17, 1988), the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government and rebel outfit Uganda People's Democratic Movement (UPDM) signed an agreement that ceased the exchanges of fire between their fighting forces; the National Resistance Army (NRA) and the Uganda People Democratic Army (UPDA).

The ceasefire agreement also marked the beginning of a series of talks aimed at signing a comprehensive peace agreement between the two groups.

Genesis of UPDM rebellion

UPDM/A was the first group from Acholi sub-region to take up arms and wage war against Mr Museveni's government. It is believed to have been formed in July 1986, four months before the Holy Spirit Movement and Holy Spirit Mobile Forces of s...