The Relevance Of The Amnesty Law On Justice In Uganda

ABSTRACT

This research pursues an insight into the enactment of the Amnesty Act 2000 and its

implication on justice in Uganda, with particular regard to the criminal justice model.

The jurisdiction of the research focuses on Uganda although relevance of other

jurisdictions is not precluded. The research has been conducted largely using a

qualitative method of data collection as this is the method most suited. The research

shows that in the pursuit of peace, justice has been battered for political compromise

and there by crippled. The justice model in Uganda generally relies on both

retributive and deterrent elements with regard to criminal justice, and section 2(2) of

the Atm1esty Act unequivocally deprives this facet in enforcing the mle of law. This

deprivation has awakened an appetite for accountability and the research aims to

explore the growing trend towards an anti-impunity position, by relying on

international precedence to prove criminal justice sustains its character as a necessary

facet for post conflict resolution. The findings of the research state that in as much as

ruID1esty has not lost its relevance for post conflict societies, it however necessitates a

constrained application so as not to shred the effectual operation of the criminal

justice. The recommendations address the inadequacies of the act that represent a

hindrance for an effective justice system. These recommendations if implemented are the tools essential for maintaining the nature of criminal justice.