Uganda National Focal Point 2004-2008

Foreword by the minister of internal affairs

Hon. Ruhakana Rugunda (Dr.)

Uganda’s progress to sustained economic development rests on the prevalence of peace and security in the country and in the entire region. As Government of Uganda, we are committed to ensuring safety and security for all our citizens.

The illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons represents a direct threat to the security, political stability and economic development of Uganda and the region as whole. Small arms are responsible for escalating and sustaining conflict, and abetting terrorism, cattle rustling and other serious crime. Across the region small arms have been used to kill thousands of people and thousands more are injured, terrorised, or are forced out of their homes into lives as refugees or internally displaced persons. Uganda is actively involved in the international efforts to foster collective action to tackle this problem, and has signed a number of agreements and protocols to address the issue, including the Nairobi Declaration, Nairobi Protocol, Bamako Declaration, UN Programme of Action. Collective international action has enabled the development of international measures and best practices as well as action plans for coordinated and comprehensive action at all levels.

The Uganda National Action Plan on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NAP) enshrines the commitment by Government of Uganda to take concrete steps to tackle the problem in all its aspects.

The Government of Uganda recognises the positive role played by civil society organisations in complementing government to promote effective action to enhance human security and to curb the proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons. In particular, the support provided by SaferAfrica, Saferworld and Security Research and Information Centre in the development of the National Action Plan is highly appreciated. Government will continue to encourage and facilitate the participation of civil society in the implementation of the National Action Plan.

The Government of Uganda believes that success in the fight against the proliferation of small arms will be unsustainable without the continued cooperation and support from the international community and the regional partners.