A cross section of the participants in the Public Lecture on Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms at King Ceaser University in Kansanga, Kampala recently
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The Amnesty Commission of Uganda has granted 34 ex-LRA rebels amnesty, exonerating them of all the offences they would have committed during their time in rebellion.
Uganda’s Amnesty Act of 2000 declares amnesty towards any Ugandan who at any time since the 26th day of January, 1986, engaged in war or armed rebellion against the Government of Uganda by: actual participation in combat; collaborating with the perpetrators of the war; committing any other crime in the furtherance of the war or armed rebellion; or assisting or aiding the conduct or prosecution of the war or armed rebellion, and renounces and abandons war.
Nathan Twinomugisha, the principle legal officer at the Amnesty Commission, said the certificates for 33 ex-rebels are ready to be handed over to the beneficiaries.
“We are only waiting for confirmation from Dr Omona, the minister in charge of Northern Uganda, who will take political responsibility of the beneficiaries and undertake their resettlement,” he told The New Vision on the sidelines of the public lecture on alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, at King Ceaser University in Kansanga, Kampala recently.
Participants in the Public Lecture on Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms at King Ceaser University in Kansanga, Kampala recently
He said for several months, they have been processing applications of about 130 former rebels and associates who came back from the Central African Republic.
“The total number is 130, but those who could benefit from the amnesty process are 34. We are now ready to hand amnesty certificates over to them,” he said.
Twinomugisha said they have also arranged small packages they will hand over to the beneficiaries to enable them resettle within their communities.
“This includes sh263,000, mattresses, saucepans, a jerry can for drawing water, and 3 hoes,” he said, adding that this helps them ensure that that they don’t send desperate poor people back to society.
Some of the King Ceaser University students in attendance
He said the small financial token is not a reward per se, but contribution toward their transport and short term survival as they cultivate their gardens for food.
He said on top of the resettlement package, they would be provided with education, financial support for income-generating activities and vocational and skills training.
After several years in the jungles of the Central African Republic, the ex-rebels decided to renounce rebellion in response to President Yoweri Museveni’s call on forgiveness and national reconciliation.
Non Ugandans Not Eligible
Twinomugisha said among the 130 returnees, there are wives and children who are not eligible for amnesty.
“Some of the members are wives are wives to e-rebels and not Ugandans. Amnesty is only for Ugandans who had risen up in arms against the government, but renounced rebellion. Others were abducted and forced into rebellion,” he said.
Bart Katureebe, the chief Justice Emeritus (middle), Dr Byaruhanga Baterana, the King Ceaser Deputy Vice Chancellor (left) and another university professor pausing for a photo after the lecture
Concerning Dominic Ongwen, a former LRA rebel who had applied for amnesty at the commission but was later convicted by the ICC and sentenced to 25, he said they are ready to grant him amnesty after serving his sentence, since he will still be a young man.
Bart Katureebe, the chief Justice Emeritus, who made the key note presentation, called upon Government to embrace alternative dispute resolution.
Dr Byaruhanga Baterana, the King Ceaser deputy Vice Chancellor, urged Government to support private education institution which are developing the legal fraternity by training lawyers.
Although the last LRA attacks in Uganda were in 2006, Joseph Kony and other senior figures remain at large. One, Dominic Ongwen, was apprehended and tried at the ICC in the Hague.
Former Amnesty Beneficiaries
Three former commanders of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), who included Sunday Otto, Richard Odong Kau, Vincent Okema and two former rebels identified as Alex Ojok and George Okello were granted amnesty in 2008, after defecting from the rebel hideout in Garamba.
Additionally, eleven former Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels under the command of Col. Simon Gamukama were dismobilished and reintegrated into their communities, with 32 children and other members of their families in November 2005.
