UGANDA

COMPENDIUM OF CONFLICTS IN UGANDA
failure to fulfil their Constitutional duty to protect the life and property of Ugandan
citizens. 624 Additionally, some participants urged that war criminals be prosecuted at the
domestic level and their assets seized upon conviction. 625 Others believed war crimes
should be handled by special courts and lower-level perpetrators should be dealt with
by the local courts. 626
Regarding alternative justice mechanisms, participants from Hoima noted that the
Banyoro once relied on traditional avenues for handling abuses, including public
punishment, beating, banishment and the levying of fines, which were enforced by clan
leaders and the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom. 627 In Adjumani, due to the prevailing mistrust
of the formal justice institutions, and in the absence of substantive reforms to enhance
their independence, participants favoured a shift toward such local justice mechanisms.
Perceptions of prosecutorial justice are especially complex and nuanced as they
relate to the amnesty process. In Mukono, participants asserted that those who
oversaw serious human rights violations must be prosecuted, while the individuals
under their command could be granted amnesty. 628 Similarly, in Mubende, the
importance of prosecutions was recognised, but it was also stated that formal justice
processes should not be rushed by magistrates and judges due to the fact that
some individuals may benefit from amnesty and other reconciliatory initiatives. 629
Furthermore, many participants underscored that not only serious human rights
abuses, but also corruption by Government officials must be tackled. 630 Corrupt
officials should be fired, prosecuted, and subjected to harsh treatment for deterrence
purposes. In Nakasongola, participants added that those who are convicted must return
misappropriated money, their property should be auctioned, and they must be jailed
and banned from public office. 631 In Bundibugyo, participants asserted that senior
Government officials in particular should be targeted in order to demonstrates to
communities that the law is effectively implemented. 632 Participants offered additional
recommendations relating to legal and institutional reform in the judiciary for effective
prosecution. Women in Mukono called for the appointment of more female magistrates
whom they regarded as more trustworthy and impartial than the men who presently
constitute the majority in the judiciary. 633
In Kasese, women also urged for a review of legislation on domestic violence, defilement
and land management. 634 Finally, in Pader, participants suggested that measures should
be taken to fast-track litigation and deal with the backlog of cases in the courts of
624 Research conducted in Pader District
625 Research conducted in Nakasongola District
626 Research conducted in Kasese District
627 Research conducted in Hoima District
628 Research conducted in Mukono District
629 Research conducted in Mubende District
630 Research conducted in Mbarara, Nakasongola and Bundibugyo Districts
631 Research conducted in Nakasongola District
632 Research conducted in Bundibugyo District
633 Research conducted in Mukono District
634 Research conducted in Kasese District
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