New justice system for LRA
Jul 04, 2007
<br>THE commanders and fighters of the LRA who committed atrocities during the two decade insurgency in the north will be subjected to a hybrid justice system to atone for their crimes.
By Henry Mukasa
THE commanders and fighters of the LRA who committed atrocities during the two decade insurgency in the north will be subjected to a hybrid justice system to atone for their crimes.
The chief government negotiator, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, explained yesterday that the agreement on accountability and reconciliation signed last Friday at the Juba peace talks provided for a fusion of the formal and traditional justice systems.
“The parties noted the strengths of the existing formal justice mechanism (which ensures no impunity) and the traditional cultural mechanisms (which are restorative and promote reconciliation),†Rugunda stated.
Rugunda, who was addressing journalists at the Media Centre in Kampala yesterday, warned that LRA rebels who were known to have committed crimes but refuse to admit to them would not benefit from the arrangement. “The mechanism will ensure that those who committed crimes confess, show remorse, ask for forgiveness and pay reparations.â€
Rugunda, who is also the Minister for Internal Affairs, said consultations would be made in the formal justice sector during the one month recess with the Director of Public Prosecution, the Law Reform Commission, the Human Rights Commission as well as academic and civil society organisations.
“What we are working for is that all these people are tried within the boundaries of Uganda,†he said. He said minors in LRA ranks “are victims themselves because they were abducted and forced to commit crimes.â€
Rugunda explained that consultations would also be made on traditional justice systems like Ailuc (Teso), Culo Kwor (Acholi and Lango), Kayo Cuk (Lango), Mato Oput (Acholi) and Tonu ci Koka (Madi) which are used to atone for crimes and reconcile communities.
The LRA, he said, would conduct consultations in Garamba – where there leader Joseph Kony is holed up – and in the diaspora. He, however, added: “If they want to come to Kampala they are welcome.â€
Rugunda said UPDF officers alleged to have committed crimes during the conflict would continue to be handled as provided by the UPDF Act and not the traditional systems mentioned.
THE commanders and fighters of the LRA who committed atrocities during the two decade insurgency in the north will be subjected to a hybrid justice system to atone for their crimes.
The chief government negotiator, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, explained yesterday that the agreement on accountability and reconciliation signed last Friday at the Juba peace talks provided for a fusion of the formal and traditional justice systems.
“The parties noted the strengths of the existing formal justice mechanism (which ensures no impunity) and the traditional cultural mechanisms (which are restorative and promote reconciliation),†Rugunda stated.
Rugunda, who was addressing journalists at the Media Centre in Kampala yesterday, warned that LRA rebels who were known to have committed crimes but refuse to admit to them would not benefit from the arrangement. “The mechanism will ensure that those who committed crimes confess, show remorse, ask for forgiveness and pay reparations.â€
Rugunda, who is also the Minister for Internal Affairs, said consultations would be made in the formal justice sector during the one month recess with the Director of Public Prosecution, the Law Reform Commission, the Human Rights Commission as well as academic and civil society organisations.
“What we are working for is that all these people are tried within the boundaries of Uganda,†he said. He said minors in LRA ranks “are victims themselves because they were abducted and forced to commit crimes.â€
Rugunda explained that consultations would also be made on traditional justice systems like Ailuc (Teso), Culo Kwor (Acholi and Lango), Kayo Cuk (Lango), Mato Oput (Acholi) and Tonu ci Koka (Madi) which are used to atone for crimes and reconcile communities.
The LRA, he said, would conduct consultations in Garamba – where there leader Joseph Kony is holed up – and in the diaspora. He, however, added: “If they want to come to Kampala they are welcome.â€
Rugunda said UPDF officers alleged to have committed crimes during the conflict would continue to be handled as provided by the UPDF Act and not the traditional systems mentioned.