KAMPALA (BBC News) -- The Ugandan government and the rebel Lord's Resistance Army have signed a truce aimed at ending one of the most bitter wars in Africa.

The agreement, reached during peace talks held in Juba, southern Sudan, is expected to take effect on Tuesday. A final peace deal will then be sought.

Thousands have died during the 20-year conflict in northern Uganda, and more than one million have fled their homes. Lengthy efforts to end the war have culminated in the peace talks in Juba. Under the terms of the truce signed by both sides, the rebels will leave Uganda and their bases in Sudan and DR Congo to gather at two assembly points, where they will be protected by the government of southern Sudan.

The Ugandan government has promised that, once the truce is in place, it will not try to attack the rebels. Talks on a comprehensive peace agreement will then get under way. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has set a 12 September deadline for a final peace deal.