2000 –

Mandate: Established by Amnesty Act 2000 (can be found under: http://www.c-r.org/our-work/accord/northern-uganda/documents/2000_Jan_The_Amnesty_Act.doc) as a means of promoting reconciliation and in pursuit of peace, security and tranquillity in Uganda.

Amnesty applies for actions dating back to 26 January 1986 , and can be provided to males and females over the age of 12 who were in captivity or combat for at least 4 months [IRIN, 2005].

The Commission is responsible for:

(a) Sensitising the public about the Amnesty Law;
(b) Promoting dialogue and reconciliation;
(c) Demobilizing and processing Amnesty Applications;
(d) Re-insertion support, including providing resettlement package reporters; and
(e) Longer-term social and economic reintegration.

Staff: 5 commissioners and 7 DRT offices and a Secretariat.

Structure: The Amnesty Commission is currently involved in the following general activities:

a) Sensitising the public about the Amnesty Law;

b) Promoting dialogue and reconciliation;

c) Granting amnesty to reporters;

d)Reintegrating and re-insertion of reporters;

e) Giving psychological support to reporters to overcome trauma.

January 2008: By June 2005, although more than 15300 combatants and abductees belonging to various factions had received amnesty, only about 4,000 had received the resettlement package which includes a lump sum of approx US$150, a mattress, blanket, hoe and some seeds due to a shortage of funds..

In May 2005, the World Bank launched a $4.2 mill programme to support the amnesty process, which has led to 11,851 having received resettlement packages. [IRIN 2005]

The Ugandan government and LRA embarked on peace talks in July 2006, which has once again thrown up the issue of amnesty for rebel leaders, but this time also raising the issue of using traditional rituals (Mato Oput) within the amnesty process. [Click here for report]

The United States has set aside $1.6 million for a programme of Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) programme in Uganda. The Amnesty Commission has also received $4.2 million from the Multi-Country Demobilization and Reintegration Programme (MDRP)

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