UGANDA

COMPENDIUM OF CONFLICTS IN UGANDA
amnesty provides an opportunity for rebels to be reintegrated not only into the community,
but possibly also into the national army. 575 Finally, some participants favoured amnesty
because it fosters forgiveness in a manner consistent with cultural and religious values. 576
Words of Caution
While participants acknowledged the positive impact of amnesty in their respective
districts, many raised concerns about the implementation process. First, participants
emphasized that the amnesty process must be inclusive of the local community and
keep them informed in order to better facilitate the reintegration process. 577 Others
cautioned against implementing amnesty without complementary apology or truthtelling
processes. 578 On the other hand, some alleged that amnesty was selectively
applied to those who were willing to share intelligence, and unjustly denied to those
who kept quiet, like Thomas Kwoyelo. 579
“Amnesty is valuable, but it has a big legal mistake in it in that it only
considers the two fighting parties… It is blind to the victims and the
affected communities and the damage caused by their actions. Amnesty
should come after acceptance by communities when perpetrators ask
for repentance and address the damage caused by the two parties.”
Civil Society Representative from Soroti
NRTJ Audit Validation Workshop, 28 August 2012
On the subject of reintegration, some asserted that former fighters must be assisted
in returning to society, 580 while others suggested that resettlement packages could
encourage others to join rebel groups in order to receive these benefits upon return. 581
On the other hand, some participants observed that rebels still in the bush are an
outstanding threat not to be ignored, 582 and that selective application of amnesty will
lead to more conflict since abductees would not be allowed to return home. 583 Regarding
impunity, some participants believed that amnesty could encourage rebels to continue
fighting with the knowledge that their crimes might not be prosecuted. 584 Others noted
that some rebels who had returned acted as though they were “untouchable,” and
threatened violence or other forms of revenge when offended by other community
members. 585 Finally, some criticized the amnesty process for awarding resettlement
packages to those who had never been rebels, as well as for requiring abductees to ask
for pardon despite never having willingly committed wrongs. 586
575 Research conducted in Mukono District
576 Research conducted in Adjumani District
577 Research conducted in Bundibugyo and Mukono Districts
578 Research conducted in Gulu, Tororo, Bundibugyo and Adjumani Districts
579 Research conducted in Lira District
580 Research conducted in Adjumani District
581 Research conducted in Bundibugyo District
582 Research conducted in Gulu District
583 Research conducted in Hoima District
584 Research conducted in Hoima District
585 Research conducted in Gulu District
586 Research conducted in Kitgum District
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