Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and South Sudan’s opposition leader, Riek Machar on Monday held a meeting to discuss peace in South Sudan.

Museveni on Monday evening received and held a meeting with Dr. Machar who called on him at Masindi State Lodge in Masindi municipality.

"I want to start a new chapter of peace and friendship,” a statement from the Ugandan presidency quotes Machar as assuring President Museveni, who responded that he was available to support any peace initiatives to stabilize South Sudan.

Museveni is camped in Masindi and Hoima districts where he is campaigning for the presidential elections slated for next month.

Machar, who is vice president-desginate to President Salva Kiir, as a peace agreement signed last year, arrived in the country with a high level delegation of 15 senior officials.

Machar briefed Museveni on the progress and steps so far taken to fully implement the negotiated peace process, according to the statement.

The two also discussed a number of issues pertaining to the political, economic, security and humanitarian situation in South Sudan as well as the role and mandate of the Inter-Governmental Authority on development (IGAD) in bringing about lasting peace in South Sudan.

Museveni commended the progress so far made in bringing about peace and stability in South Sudan and the positive response of the two sides.

He pledged the Ugandan government support to ensure that lasting peace returns to South Sudan.

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