Uganda Rebels Could lose out on Amnesty

Following criticism of rebel leaders who have failed to take up President Museveni's offer, the Minister of State for Internal Affairs, Dr Kezimbira Miyingo tabled a proposed amendment Bill before parliament on April 14.

The main elements of the amendment says that: "A person who is a leader of an armed rebellion against the government of the Republic of Uganda shall not be granted amnesty."

This leaves amnesty only for those persons who have been abducted or joined the force against their will and those who make the effort to apply for amnesty in good time and have demonstrated repentence.

Those who would be affected by the amendment include those who finance "terrorist" and rebel groups, commanders of units and divisions and leaders of these organisations.

According to the Bill, a leader includes a leader of a terrorist organisation, a commander or a person in charge of a unit or other division of a terrorist organisation, and a financier of a terrorist organisation.

A terrorist organisation is defined as an organisation declared to be a terrorist organisation under the Anti-Terrorism Act 2002.

It is further proposed by the amendment Bill that a person belonging to a terrorist organisation who applies for amnesty shall not be released from custody until the Director of Public Prosecutions has certified that the person falls under section 2 of the Act; was abducted; committed the act of rebellion under duress, coercion or undue influence, applied for a grant of amnesty in reasonable time, in good faith and has demonstrated repentance; and is not charged or detained to be prosecuted for any offence not falling under section 2 of this Act.

A number of rebel groups waging a bloody war against the government have been classified as terrorist organisations. They include the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) led by Joseph Kony, which has been waging a 17-year bloody guerrilla war in northern Uganda. Some of the current fighters of the LRA were part of Lakwena's Holy Spirit Movement. The army, which mixes witchcraft and religion during its warfare, has said that it wants to establish a government based on the "Ten commandments".

Meanwhile, legislators from war torn northern Uganda have urged the government to grant Lakwena her request for Ush100 million ($50,000) and a posh house in Kampala, as part of her return deal, saying it will end the LRA's rebellion.

The legislators argue that it will be a positive sign to those rebels doubting the government's commitment to the amnesty.

"Since the LRA have never trusted the government's amnesty promises, maybe it is time the government gave Lakwena what she's asking for as a positive sign to the rebels that it is serious with the amnesty offer to rebels," said Zachary Olum, chairman of the Acholi parliamentary group. The group works with legislators from all the war affected areas.

However, army spokesman Major Shaban Bantariza told The EastAfrican that he does not see any reason to give in to Lakwena's demands just to get her to return to Uganda, given that she fought the government and was defeated.

"She should just take up the amnesty offer and come back peacefully instead of demanding money and a house," said Maj Bantariza.

Last month, a high powered delegation was in Kenya to meet with Lakwena and persuade her to return to Uganda, the country she left 17 years ago after her force was vanquished. It was at that meeting that Lakwena asked for the house and money, and compensation for the war affected people at northern Uganda.

"If I were the government, I would not give her even a shilling, since she killed over 3,000 children and many more others and deserves nothing except amnesty to get settled in her home village," said Maj Bantariza.

Northern Uganda Members of Parliament said that the return of Lakwena was very crucial to ending the rebellion that has left more than 1.5 million people staying in internally displaced people's camps and over 20,000 children abducted.

They said that Lakwena's return will convince the rebels of the government's seriousness. Lakwena also wants the government to compensate people who have lost relatives and property during the war. According to the legislators, since the government has always wanted peace to return to northern Uganda, especially through reconciliation and forgiveness, Lakwena's demands should be met in order to give peace a chance.

Museveni's government has for several years been frustrated by the LRA, whose leaders claim to be interested in initiating peace talks, but continue with insurgent activities.

At the time of establishing the Amnesty Commission, the Ministry of Internal Affairs put the number of people who were expected to renounce rebellion at 50,000, out of whom 10,000 have reported to the commission to date.

President Museveni has publicly said that he is against granting amnesty to the rebels, especially their leaders.  

Reported by David Musoke and Gertrude Kamuze

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