The National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons says it has retrieved thousands of guns and quantities of ammunition since the declaration of a nationwide gun amnesty on December 1, 2025, aimed at reducing the proliferation of illegal weapons and gun-related violence.

Speaking on JoyNews’ News Desk, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr Adam Bonaa, said the response to the amnesty has been encouraging, with just 15 days left before the grace period expires.

“With just 15 days to the deadline, a number of these weapons have been surrendered and there are more to recover,” Dr. Bonaa stated.

The amnesty was declared by the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mubarak, who announced December 1, 2025, to January 15, 2026, as a grace period for individuals in possession of illegal firearms to surrender or register them without facing prosecution.

Dr Bonaa explained that weapons have been retrieved from all 16 administrative regions and across all 25 police regions of the country, indicating nationwide participation in the exercise.

According to him, the amnesty declaration also imposed strict temporary restrictions on the arms trade to ensure the effectiveness of the exercise.

“Within this period, importation of arms has ceased, importation of ammunition has ceased, and the sale of guns and ammunition has ceased,” he said, adding that the declaration also prohibits the firing of weapons during the amnesty period.

He revealed that a wide range of firearms has been surrendered, including sidearms, pump-action shotguns, single and double-barrel guns, AK-47s, M16 rifles and G-series weapons, highlighting the scale of small arms in civilian hands.

The gun amnesty forms part of the government’s broader efforts to enhance public safety and prevent the misuse of firearms.

Dr Bonaa urged individuals still holding illegal weapons to take advantage of the remaining days of the amnesty, stressing that enforcement actions will follow once the grace period ends.