Victims of the northern Uganda conflict still need the Amnesty Act.

By Penny Mbabazi Atuhaire

Associate Researcher at the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI)

For the last couple of weeks, I have been thinking about writing a piece on the current state of the Amnesty Act, 2000 of Uganda. As I mulled over the issue while following the unfolding events on this piece of legislation, I found too many things confusing.

On the 19^th March 2014, the Principle State Attorney Ms. Patricia Mutesi issued a statement asking the Supreme Court to declare the Amnesty Act unconstitutional arguing that it interferes with the independence of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), promotes rebellion and that in many aspects it violates the basic principles of international law.

This is in reference to the case of Mr. Thomas Kwoyelo, a former Lord Resistance Army (LRA) commander who was abducted and conscripted into the LRA force at the age of 13. Kwoyelo still remains in Luzira prison, a place that has literally become his home even when the courts of law have on many occasions ruled that he qualified for amnesty.

Just two weeks after this pronouncement, the Minister of State for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees Mr. Musa Ecweru joined thousands of other people in Ateuso village, Morungatuny sub-county in Amuria districts to celebrate the return and reunion of George William Ecodu who was abducted by the LRA rebels on June 26, 2003. Ecodu was reunited with his family and village mates on Friday 28^th March 2014 after spending 11 years in captivity.

While at this function, the minister made a public apology to all children who have been victims of the LRA insurgency. He said: "I want on the onset to apologize from the bottom of my heart in my capacity as one of the leaders from Teso region for not adequately protecting our children in 2003 when they were abducted in big numbers by LRA rebels,”. The minister added: “I strongly owe those children still in captivity my sincere apology for our failure to protect them, leading to their loss of innocence and enslavement while they were still children who deserved our protection.”

FHRI launches the Functioning of the Multi-Party democracy in Uganda report.

After a year’s long research, the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative finally launched the report on the Functioning of Multi-Party Democracy in Uganda. On 15^th January 2014, all roads led to Hotel Africana, Katonga Hall. In attendance was the Chief Guest, Mrs. Margaret Sekaggya, the UN Special Rappotour on the situation of Human Rights Defenders and the Executive Director of Human Rights Center; the Chairperson, FHRI Board of Directors, Rev. Can. Dr. John K. Tumwine; Prof. George W. Kanyiehamba, the FHRI Patron; the Executive Director, Mr. Livingstone Sewanyana; Members of Parliament; representatives of Political Parties; representatives from the diplomatic community; representatives from Civil Society organizations and the FHRI staff.

In his opening remarks, the FHRI Patron commended Mr. Sewanyana and the FHRI secretariat for being pro-active in its activities particularly the publishing of the periodic thematic reports. He noted that the report creates an awareness of the challenges faced in Uganda and the ills of democratization but it fails to mention who is responsible. He said that we shy away from why the existing laws have failed and create new laws instead. He informed the audience that Uganda already has good laws but what is lacking is their implementation and enforcement. He however expressed his disappointment as to why the ruling parties have continued to stifle political parties in the democratization process since independence. 

Mr. Sewanyana welcomed the delegates to the launch and thereafter used the executive summary of the report and presented the findings and recommendations of the report.