TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE IN POST CONFLICT UGANDA: ASSESSING THE GAINS, IMPACT AND ARGUMENTS FOR THE RETAINMENT OF AMNESTY ACT 2000: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Abstract

This paper considers the experience of post conflict Uganda in the wake of its struggle for transitional justice following the 20 years violent conflict that trailed massive civilian casualties within the northern region of the country. A brief background on the extent of Transitional Justice in Post Conflict Uganda is captured, an analysis of the Amnesty Act 2000 of Uganda is examined, the gains and Impact of Amnesty in Uganda is appraised. The work ends with an assessment of the arguments for the retainment of the Amnesty Act in the Northern region of Uganda following the successes recorded by the Act, a position which is vehemently opposed to by victims’ rights groups who maintain that the Act favours ex-combatants more than victims, more so compromises the victims’ rights to reparations, justice, and truth. These debates and accompanying strains are epitomized by the existing discrepancy about the suitable reaction to the Lord's Resistance Army’s violent uprising in the North of Uganda amidst search for peace and healing within post conflict period. This work recommends that the amnesty law should afford victims with sufficient form of compensation or restitution to the victims, and also victims opinion should be central in determining the country’s response in the Post Conflict restructuring process. In addition, Perpetrators should disclose the truths with regards to their involvement in the crisis through the inclusion of non-legal accountability measures such as the Truth Commission where they publicly confess and plead for forgiveness from the victims.