Flames for Peace: Uganda Destroys Cache of Illicit Arms as Africa Amnesty Month Kicks Off

KAMPALA, UGANDA – Uganda has made a powerful statement in its fight against armed violence by destroying approximately 100 illicit firearms, officially launching its national participation in the 2025 Africa Amnesty Month.

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The destruction ceremony,held on Friday, October 3, 2025, at Gaddafi Barracks in Jinja, was overseen by Hon. Oboth Oboth, Minister of Defence, and attended by Minister Peter Lokeris and H.E. Ambassador Tebelolo Boang, the Chairperson of the AU Peace and Security Council.

The continental launch of the 2025 Africa Amnesty Month was presided over by the Rt.Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, First Deputy Prime Minister, a day earlier on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at the Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort.

The launch highlighted the African Union Peace and Security Council’s commendation of Uganda’s progress in collecting illegal arms, particularly in the restive Karamoja sub-region.

Kadaga was joined by a high-level delegation of Ugandan officials, including Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire (Minister of Internal Affairs), State Minister Gen. David Muhoozi, and Hon. Oboth Oboth (Minister of Defence).

Also in attendance were Hon. Peter Lokeris, Minister for Karamoja Affairs, along with senior officials from the Government of Uganda, the Regional Centre on Small Arms (RECSA), the African Union, the AU Commission for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, and the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs.

The commemoration in Jinja underscores Uganda’s determined commitment to creating safer communities through practical disarmament.

The AUPSC applauded Uganda for hosting the event and encouraged all member states to intensify efforts in collecting and destroying illicit arms from their communities.

The council also acknowledged the invaluable support of the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and RECSA for their continued backing of Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) and Security Sector Reform (SSR) programs across the African continent.