Transitional justice programs are often launched following protracted violence or systemic abuse, as part of a process of political transition and social transformation. There is a growing literature that demonstrates the positive effects of such activities. But when transitional justice agendas are concretized prior to the cessation of hostilities or before any kind of political transition, their effects are significantly less. This paper argues that the mechanisms that are convoked often fail to take hold, and that small glimmers of transformation tend to result only in one-off, discrete initiatives and isolated national mechanisms. The results that the transitional justice literature expects to see don’t necessarily materialize. There are a number of reasons for this failure, all of which are explored in this paper, in the context of Uganda: First, despite ethno-cultural linkages, people are often not concerned beyond their own ethno-cultural group. Second, the government may consciously keep groups apart. Third, traditional cultural institutions may be too concerned about their own survival to become engaged in projects of mutual aid. Fourth, national groups may be sidelined by shifting priorities on the national agenda. Fifth, because groups have come to expect that nothing will be done, there is a high level of complacency. And sixth, groups may be too scared to challenge the government.
