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thomasbronmukama · 6 years

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Gun justice In Uganda

Guns came into thepicture after the invasion of black powder by China in the 9th Century, it started with the primitive hand canons in the 10th Century then China developed fire lances and fire dragons as well as flame throwers and fireworks. Yuan Dynasty in 13th Century launched firearms then after came Colt 1, Browning, M1 Garand, Uziere, Colt Maxim, in 1949 Mikhail Kalashinikov designed the AK47 for the Soviet Red Army. This is one of the most commonly used gun around the world. Guns were made for sport, hunting, recreation and personal safety

In japan owning a gun is as rare as owning a dog, they are scarce to find with individuals which has made Japan one of safe countries while Uruguay ranks 8th for per capita gun ownership in the world.

In USA they regulate manufacture, possession, trade, record, transport, ammunition, and firearms accessories. Enforced by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) which is a rare case in most African countries.

After the assassination of president J.F Kennedy, the Attorney General Kennedy Robert and Martin Luther King Jr pushed for the passage of Gun Control Act, many laws were passed to regulate users, owners, transporters a (District of Columbia V HELLER d manufacturers in 2008 – Changed a 70year precedent set by Miller in 1939 while the ruling was focused it was ‘well-regulated militia ‘portion of the second amendment (collective rights Theory) and referring to a states right to defend itself, Heller focused on ‘individual rights to possess firearms unconnected with militia service’.

In 2011, Small Arms Survey Brandy Campaign to prevent Gun violence estimates 114,999 people shot each year in the US. Age 21 and above are allowed to own or register for guns while Uganda regulates 25 years and above, fugitives, criminal offenders, drug dealers and addicts are blocked from buying guns in the US.

Cases of some places where, the countries register a high volume of gun ownership

Honduras a central US state ever since 2009 coup, ousted civilian government, rampant crime, restricted freedom, the city is anti-gun when it comes to carrying guns in public.

Finland, Serbia despite the 1990s involvement in wars with Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Kosovo, it’s easy to get a gun incense but hard to get a hand gun license. Sweden with high hunting culture nearly a third of the population are gun owners hunting and sport shooting are great activities to them, Norway, Panama only 3% of Panamanians own guns, Switzerland gun ownership is a recognized right however their law states any crime committed by your gun, you face jail time, Czech Republic have a constitutional right to shoot terrorists though they have the least likelihoods of terror, USA is the easiest place to own a firearm they also possess the right to shoot terrorists but the law doesn’t protect their rights to bears arms

The issue of guns remains thorny worldwide but the difference is showcased in some having more guns with peace while others have less but more bloodshed amidst instabilities most common in African countries.

Gun killings in Uganda today are commonly associated with motorcycle riders (boda bodas) unlike previously coups were most activities were army encounters especially exchange of bullets. Could it be traced that gun violence came from our history- Former President Idi Amin Dada over threw Obote 1 in a coup, this was up to 1979 when Obote returned as Obote 2 dismantled Amin’s army and got back to the crown of leadership. In 1985 after the failed Election reconciliation in Uganda, a few of those that served in the previous government took to the bush in the name of Liberation and this was a talk of guns that ushered in the current government (coups dominating transfer of power here have stood a mountain in the regime that it looks impossible to have a normal transition of Authority across Ugandans). It should be noted that all these encounters brought death to many Ugandans including the innocent that met their deaths at home.

There are many unsolved court cases involving gun shootings due to lack of evidence, and victims suck their woods as offenders of Justice dine on themes of the Jungle rule.

In (1970) Uganda there was a prohibition of production firearms or Ammunition, under the Firearm Act 1970. There was registered high gun ownership, as Uganda ushered in a new president and Constitution in 1995, the number of guns started reducing. Government had started a disarming programme disarming War veterans, Smugglers, poachers and cattle wrestlers (commonly in the Karamoja region), to improve on security and promote peace in the country. This could have been successful but some people retained their guns and others have gone ahead to acquire new sets for poaching as well as protection.

Currently Uganda has over 400,000 officially registered guns in the country and many security companies have guns used in their line of duty. The Uganda Police and Army (UPDF) has different police and army units like CMI, VVIP, CT, Traffic, Redtop among other in charge of the security of Ugandans, in some cases officers have caused the death of the people (among other officers) through random shootings and others have lost their guns to thieves. These stolen guns and those smuggled into the country from Kenya, Congo and South Sudan have led to the country’ insecurity since the security organs lack accurate count on gun ownership.

The recent killing of big and renowned dignitaries, role models and Icons like Maj.Kigundu, Justice Kagezi, AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi, Col.Hon Ibrahim Abiriga, the different women murders in Entebbe, Nasana and the silent gun murder case existence (leave a big query on everyone’s mind on who could be next?) rendered the country partly insecure, not forgetting those of our nationals that have occurred off the Ugandan soil (traders in South Sudan), murdered in line of duty R.I.P(Afghanistan and Somalia).

Paving a way forward

Personal grievances, weak legislation and government policies are some of the reasons popular Ugandans are being gunned down. The blame there after is left within the heads of security organs and opposition members to government. Members of Parliament under the opposition wing are not the only members of society the country has as opposition, there are many people who don’t believe in how the current leadership operates the affairs of the country thus staging some resistance. The fact that Uganda has a growing population some of whom are refugees pose a question of accurate documentation as well as fear of imposing some of their bad cultures into the nationals.

(ADF and Kony are among the resistances that arose in West and Northern Uganda, leading to the bloodshed of thousands of people and abducting others into their camps andmovements).

Political insurgences and differences for example between the Rwenzururu people and the government of Uganda were the kingdom guards exchanged blows with police personnel’s with the sounds of panga’s and bullets. This daylight massacre left a sting of hatred among the people that lost their loved ones.

Uganda has enough security personnel to safe guard nationals with great skills and up to date equipment to engage any a rising enemy. The challenge of increasing unregistered guns and unregulated cars and motorcycles have escalated the rampant gunning in the country.

Does gunning solve the problem or creates mere fear?

A poor political structure affects the entire system of administration, when the out spoken individuals are out spotted and knocked out, the element of shock becomes a habit and to manoeuvre - heads of various political positions either chew on their pride or walk to the helm of sacrifice. The executive being the head of government in Uganda, the lack of rule of law exposes the vulnerability of the Judiciary and Legislature to a point that the practices carried out by these two bodies is a merely direct order from above, and many times to have a share on the lions prey you stay meek and put. Much as there are Human Rights organisations, their battle stays at the top unnoticed- failing to cut the roots of the challenge?

Every persistent symptom needs medical attention, the persistent gunning needs gun re-registration, reduction in security(poor relations between people and police/Army) government agencies to reduce number of guns, curbing corruption around the different boarders, change in administration right from the top positions as well as creating checks and balances(to encourage rule of law).

Many Ugandans don’t know how to operate guns and those that have them stand risk of damaging property and other people’s lives. Such items should be scarce in public, be bought or sold at a high cost and charged monthly taxes to discourage them from the public.

Thomas Bron Mukama

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