By Ahura Mujuni Mark

Uganda’s Minster of State for Internal Affairs, Amb. James Baba has explained the state of Amnesty in Uganda and given a highlight on its future  in Uganda .

The minster  in a release issued on Tuesday says that with the extension of the Amnesty Act  2000 , the Amnesty Commission shall continue discharging its duties of demobilization, reintegration, resettlement of reporters, and sensitization of the general public on the Amnesty Law and promote appropriate reconciliation mechanisms to affect communities.

“This is a noble gesture to the formerly abducted and the affected communities, considering that rebuilding their lives after insurgency, is more meaningful.” says the minister in the statement

State Minister for Internal Affairs ,James Baba

The Ministry says that it  recognizes that the Lapse of Part II of the Act has attracted  debate among certain sectors of the public that Government’s decision to stop the grant of Amnesty may impact negatively on the fragile peace in some parts of the country, especially Northern Uganda.

“The Ministry takes cognizance of these fears and would like to inform the public that, the issue of Amnesty is critically being considered by Government, especially at such a time where Government is pursuing the development of a national transitional justice Policy.” he adds

He adds that while designing the national transitional Justice Policy, the stakeholders will be given an opportunity to meaningfully contribute to the process.

‘We need to take cognizance of the need for accountability and justice for victims of crime in order to foster a spirit of genuine forgiveness, reconciliation, peace and justice.