The Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, Jacob Markson Oboth Oboth, on Saturday presided over a symbolic firearms destruction ceremony at the Junior Staff College, Gaddafi Barracks.
The event, held under the theme "A Safer Community Through Voluntary Disarmament," marked Uganda's continued commitment to peace, stability, and the African Union's (AU) Continental Amnesty Month, observed every September.
In his remarks, Oboth commended the combined efforts of all stakeholders in promoting voluntary disarmament and building safer communities.
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"I commend the efforts of all stakeholders involved in making this initiative a success. Together, we can build a brighter future for our nation," he said.
He underscored the importance of Amnesty Month as a vital platform for encouraging the surrender of illegal firearms and removing uncontrolled weapons from civilian possession, emphasizing that the initiative directly contributes to peace and national security.
To date, Uganda has successfully destroyed over 140,800 small arms and more than 1,980 tons of unexploded ordnance (UXO).
"These weapons are major enablers of violence, whether in the form of insurgencies, armed banditry, terrorism, or communal conflicts," Oboth said.
The Minister highlighted that disarmament has been instrumental in strengthening the relationship between the Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces (UPDF) and local communities, particularly in the Karamoja region.
He applauded Maj Gen Don Nabaasa for his leadership in coordinating firearm collection efforts and maintaining security in the area.
Oboth also extended appreciation to the African Union and international partners for their continued collaboration in advancing peace and stability.
Representing the African Union Chairperson of the AU Peace and Security Council for October 2025 Ambassador Tebelelo Alfred Boang commended the Ugandan government for its commitment to safeguarding communities and promoting socio-economic development through sustained disarmament initiatives.
"Uganda's success in silencing the guns stands as a model for other nations across the continent," Boang said.
The representative of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) in New York, Anna Mensah Sacky praised Uganda's cooperation with the UN in advancing global security efforts. She reaffirmed the UN's continued support for Uganda and the AU's disarmament agenda, emphasizing that uncollected weapons remain a persistent threat to peace.
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"We appreciate Uganda's decisive action in ensuring all confiscated firearms are destroyed," she said.
Speaking on behalf of the Cantonment Commander, Brig Gen Ernest Nuwagaba, Commander of the Headquarters URDC, described the event as both a national milestone and a continental declaration of Uganda's unwavering dedication to peace, security, and regional stability.
He noted that Uganda, in collaboration with the African Union, continues to encourage the voluntary surrender of illicit firearms, especially among former rebels and ex-combatants in Northern Uganda.
Nuwagaba further highlighted Uganda's upcoming hosting of the AU Peace and Security Council meetings in Kampala from October 2-3, 2025, as a testament to the country's leadership in advancing disarmament and community security.
"Every firearm removed from circulation is a life potentially saved, a community made safer, and a step closer to an Africa that is peaceful, secure, and prosperous for all," he said.
The ceremony was attended by Minister of Karamoja Affairs Peter Lokeris, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Lt Gen Joseph Musanyufu, delegates from the African Union; and community representatives from Karamoja, Rwenzori, and Northern Uganda.
