Kampala, Uganda: The Uganda Amnesty Commission has pardoned over 28,300 Ugandans who participated in armed rebellion since 1986, in what officials describe as one of the country’s most significant peace and reconciliation efforts.
Speaking to the press at the Uganda Media Centre on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, the Commission Chairperson, Justice P.K.K. Onega, revealed that a total of 28,340 former insurgents have embraced amnesty under the Demobilization Programme.
“These are people who were involved in insurgency from various fighting groups, either through direct combat, collaboration with rebels, or other acts in support of rebellion,” the Commission noted in its presentation.
Majority from LRA
According to Justice Onega, the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) accounts for the largest number of former combatants granted amnesty, with about 13,605 reporters. The West Nile Bank Front (WNBF) follows with 6,580 beneficiaries, while the Uganda National Rescue Front II (UNRFII) accounts for over 3,250.
The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), which has operated mainly from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, has seen 2,764 former fighters granted amnesty. An additional 2,140 individuals came from 26 smaller rebel groups that are no longer active.
The Commission explained that demobilization of such rebel groups involves formally releasing former combatants from armed service and facilitating their return to civilian life.
Reintegration and Resettlement
Under the Resettlement Programme, Justice Onega says the Commission has reinserted about 24,003 reporters (former rebels) into communities, while 25,337 reporters and victims have benefited from reintegration initiatives countrywide.
Support provided includes basic home items, garden tools, skills training in carpentry, tailoring, agricultural management, entrepreneurship, and psycho-social counseling.
The Commission also engages in dialogue and reconciliation, having previously chaired peace talks such as the 2002 negotiations with UNRFII that resulted in the demobilization of 2,500 fighters in West Nile.
Despite progress, officials acknowledged lingering challenges, including some LRA and ADF members still at large, a backlog of 3,001 reporters awaiting reintegration, 4,337 awaiting resettlement and continued stigmatization of returnees, particularly women and children
The Commission has appealed to Ugandans still outside the country, especially those linked to ADF and LRA, to return home and seek amnesty.
Six regional offices, in Gulu, Arua, Kitgum, Mbale, Kasese, and Kampala, continue to facilitate demobilization, reintegration, and resettlement.
Justice Onega said the amnesty programme remains a key tool in encouraging former rebels to abandon armed conflict and contribute positively to Uganda’s development.
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