UGANDA

elated to human rights violations and oil extraction in their area. 642
Potential Pitfalls
While participants readily recognized truth-telling as an essential component of
transitional justice, participants in almost all districts also expressed reservations about
instituting truth-seeking and truth-telling mechanisms. They indicated possible adverse
effects, including arousing negative emotions from victims and their families, 643 and
potential backlash against those admitting to past wrongdoing. Such repercussions could
take the form of mob justice, imprisonment, or denial of jobs. 644
Participants agreed that without adequate protection for those taking part in truth-telling
processes, implementing such mechanisms would be inappropriate and risky, especially
if it led to further conflict. 645 Another potential negative effect of truth-telling mentioned
was the use of these processes for pursuing political aims. In Bundibugyo, participants
warned that truth-telling could be manipulated to pursue political vendettas, and in
Adjumani, they gave the example of a political candidate engaging in truth-telling and
apology for disingenuous reasons. Still, they noted that this initial attempt could lead to
more transparent mechanisms in the future. 646
Way Forward
Given the possible benefits and potential risks of engaging in truth-telling,
participants in all districts offered ideas on how an effective mechanism should be
structured. One recurring theme was that truth-telling must be inclusive and engage
actors on all levels of society. Victims and perpetrators, Government and rebel
leaders, and even those Ugandans who are living in exile must all participate, it was
said. 647 While some believed that truth-telling should begin at the local level, 648
many recommended a national level process involving the President as well as rebel
leaders. 649 Several participants, particularly those in northern Uganda, articulated the
need for a National Truth and Reconciliation Commission such as in South Africa. 650
They specified that local and religious leaders, not political appointees, should lead the
process and publish their findings. 651 They should also make recommendations on how
to unite the country. Such a national framework would help prevent abuses by those
seeking political gain and would better facilitate reconciliation. 652 In Pader, participants
suggested that establishing such a Truth Commission would promote reconciliation
by clearly linking truth-telling with complementary processes of acknowledgement,
642 Research conducted in Hoima District
643 Research conducted in Mukono District
644 Research conducted in Mukono and Hoima Districts
645 Research conducted in Gulu, Mubende, Nakapiripirit, Tororo and Nakasongola Districts
646 Research conducted in Adjumani District
647 Research conducted in Aura District
648 Research conducted in Gulu District
649 Research conducted in Aura, Nakapiripirit and Soroti Districts
650 Research conducted in Bundibugyo, Tororo, Gulu, Arua, Lira, Kitgum and Pader Districts
651 Research conducted in Kitgum and Tororo Districts
652 Research conducted in Tororo District
251
TJ MECHANISMS