Tribal conflicts still remain the most ancient and long running disputes among local communities in the country, a new study has indicated.
Prepared by Uganda Law Reform Commission on behalf of Justice Law and Order Sector (JLOS) , the new report released in Kampala on Wednesday also indicates that land disputes are the second leading cause of conflicts in Uganda.Others include; political, domestic, and armed conflicts that follow in that order.
The study was conducted in the eight regions of Acholi, Buganda, Bunyoro-Tooro-Ankole, Sebei-Karamoja, Bugisu-Busoga-Samia-Bugwere, Lango, Teso and West Nile.
The study sought to establish and document the existing traditional justice and truth telling mechanisms and their practicability in conflict resolution.Most importantly, the study sought to incorporate the traditional principles and practices into the current formal justice in the spirit of complementarity and the implication of the use of all these alternatives for the administration of justice.
The report findings show that there are various mechanisms applied in dispute resolution ranging from mediation, dialogue, family meetings to communal meetings.However, the leading mechanism is mediation.
Mediation as understood by the respondents in this study; meant the process of summoning of conflicting parties and holding a meeting at which the facts of the matter are discussed.
The respondents for the purpose of this study include traditional and religious leaders, persons involved in the peace process, and victims of conflict including abductees.
The report also highlights the punishment handed to wrong-doers which varies from one community to another.Some of the punishments include; banishment, canning/beating, community service, compensation for death, cursing, eating of raw sheep liver, fines, warning/cautioning and naming/ shaming.
Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki who is the head of JLOS, welcomed the alternative mechanism of serving justice alongside the formal justice of courts of law.
Justice Odoki said that traditional justice mechanisms play a key role in dispute resolution and can provide relief to the formal justice system.
The chief justice explained that traditional justice mechanisms are based on customary laws, a system of law in Uganda not expressly written, but binding as between the parties subject to it.
Odoki used the same forum to call upon the all stake holders to provide their views and expertise aimed at developing a holistic and people-centered transitional justice system in the country.
The one day event attracted various traditional leaders from Buganda, Teso, Acholi, Alur, Bugisu, Rwenzururu, Adhola, Lango and Tooro regions.
