UGANDA

COMPENDIUM OF CONFLICTS IN UGANDA
a process might be best conducted. Many said that the lack of adequate truth-telling,
especially with regards to recent conflicts, was causing mistrust between Government
and citizens. 639 At the same time, others raised reservations and fears related to the
potential abuses and risks entailed in truth-telling. In some cases, only civil society
and local government leaders were sufficiently well-versed on this topic to offer
perspectives, while in other districts, women, men, and youth contributed meaningfully
to the dialogue. 640
Anticipated Benefits
The potential benefits of a truth-telling mechanism were evident in many districts, and
numerous participants believed that this process would lead to healing and reconciliation
on an individual and communal level. 641 Often, participants suggested that truth-telling
would offer an opportunity for perpetrators to apologize and for victims to forgive.
“The reason why we have so many conflicts in Uganda is
because of absence of truth-telling. People do not speak
the truth.”
Local leader in Mubende District
In Soroti, participants noted that truth-telling would contribute to healing by revealing
information about those who had died or disappeared with no explanation. A female
participant in Nakasongola said that truth-telling can also discourage people from joining
further conflicts. In Hoima, participants linked truth-telling to promoting transparency in
general, and asserted that such a process would fight corruption and address problems
639 Research conducted in Lira and Kitgum Districts
640 Research conducted in Bulambuli, Hoima and Arua Districts
641 Research conducted in Bundibugyo, Arua, Mbarara, Adjumani, Mukono, Lira and Pader Districts
250