Uganda, AU destroy illicit firearms to curb small weapons proliferation

JINJA - Uganda and the African Union (AU) on Friday (October 3) destroyed more than 100 illicit firearms, marking the launch of joint efforts to curb the spread of small arms and light weapons across the continent.

In a strong show of commitment to national peace and security, the defence ministry conducted the destruction of illegal and surrendered firearms in a public ceremony aimed at reducing the threat of armed violence and strengthening national stability.

The weapons destroyed comprised AK-47 rifles that were collected through disarmament operations and voluntary surrender programs across the country.

This was during an event presided over by Jacob Oboth Oboth, the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs at Gaddaffi Barracks in Jinja city on Friday, during day two of the celebrations to mark the 9th Africa Amnesty Month, under the theme ‘Safer Communities through voluntary disarmament where 100 firearms were destroyed.

Firearms set ablaze on Friday at Gadaffi Barracks in Jinja City. (All Photos by Doreen Musingo)

The exercise was part of the ninth Africa Amnesty Month, observed under the theme "Safer Communities through Voluntary Disarmament."

The commemoration coincided with the opening of a two-day forum at Speaker Resort Munyonyo in Kampala, where experts and government officials discussed strategies to reduce the proliferation of small arms and light weapons across Africa.

The meeting, organised under the AU Peace and Security Council, brought together representatives from the AU, the East African Community, the United Nations, civil society, youth, women's groups and other stakeholders to advance the continental agenda of ending armed violence.

The AU declared September as Africa Amnesty Month in 2017 to encourage civilians to voluntarily surrender illegal firearms without facing prosecution.

While in Jinja during the destruction of arms, Oboth said the exercise marked a symbolic and significant step in destruction of firearms, making a crucial step towards ensuring lasting peace, stability and protecting communities, our continent and our nation, Uganda, from the dangers of illegal arms.

He said this embodies the collective commitment to creating a safer environment for all citizens and socio-economic development.

“Every weapon we destroy today represents a life potentially saved tomorrow. Our goal is to ensure that our streets, villages, and borders are free from the threats posed by unlawful arms,” the minister stated.

He said the ministry emphasises the disarmament and voluntary surrendering of firearms, an effort which is part of a broader national peace and security strategy that includes conflict resolution, community rehabilitation and strengthening law enforcement.

“We recognise the importance of disarmament in fostering harmony and understanding between our forces and civilians, especially in the Karamoja region where successes were registered that have paved the way for the peaceful environment and social-economic transformation,” he said.

Maj. Gen Don Nabasa salutes Minister Jacob Oboth Oboth, and looking on is the defence ministry Lt. Gen Joseph Musanyufu

While praising Maj Gen Don Nabasa, who ensured successful disarmament in the Karamoja region, the Government’s commitment to end the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons has spread to all players, expressing joy that the African Union and other partners are together in the journey.

He said the symbolic acts serve as a powerful message in demonstrating the country’s direction in peace building, which encourages a culture of peace and non-violence among citizens. 

Others are national security that strengthens our efforts to maintain internal security and stability, regional cooperation by contributing to regional peace initiatives and promoting a safer African community.

He highlighted that the Amnesty month helps collect some of the uncontrolled weapons from civilian possessions and that to date, Uganda has destroyed over 140,800 pieces of small arms, demobilised over 1,980 tons of unexploded ordnances, weapons which are major enablers of violence, be it in the form of insurgencies, armed banditry, terrorism or communal conflict.

Minister Oboth leads the delegation to the firearms destruction site.

He said a study conducted by the African Union Commission (AU) in 2023 indicates that approximately 90% of the small arms and light weapons are used by terrorists, scenarios which contribute to the disruption of livelihoods, economic activities and destruction of infrastructure, which are all enemies of prosperity.

Lt Gen Joseph Musanyufu, the permanent secretary in the defence ministry, said this wasn’t the first time to destroy firm arms. 

He attributed the major cause of small arms and light weapons to the reign of Idi Amin Dada, where the British colonial masters, after independence, left him in charge.

Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, commissioner for political affairs, peace and security at the AU, said celebration of Amnesty month every September is a collaboration and continuous commitment by member states, a decision by the assembly of 2017, as the theme says.

“As Africa, we have serious challenges of illicit small firearms and light weapons; we pledge our unending support to the Republic of Uganda, which has hosted us this year and the continent at large, which is in recognition of the difficulties we face in safety and security with social economic development,” he said.

On behalf of the chairperson peace and Security Council, Anna Mensah Sackey, who is also the permanent representative of the Republic of Botswana to the AU, destruction of weapons is a very important aspect in the management of weapons and firearms.

Source of the arms

Simon Mundeyi, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Internal Affairs said a total of 100 firearms have been destroyed. 

He added that since government enacted the Amnesty Act in 2000, they have collected close to 32,000 firearms and small weapons.

He said most of them, which are AK-47 guns, around 17,000 were surrendered by former rebels and combatants, while around 16000 were forcefully disarmed and were from areas of Karamonja, where cattle rusting is rampant, Northern Uganda, which was faced by the Lord’s Resistance Army  (LRA) and Ruwenzori region, which had some insurgencies.