Publisher's Synopsis
'The General's Amnesty' is set in Uganda between 1966 to 1976. This was the first decade of political unrest for Uganda after she gained political independence in 1962. This period also coincided with the author, Salvatore Yoana Olwoc's first ten years of paid employment after leaving University. This story is loosely based on his life experience at the time.
The book tells the story of a young man, Orach Lutulamoi from Gulu, Northern Uganda. It portrays the harsh realities of life outside the gates of College, the disillusionment of unfulfilled hopes and desires of a young man.
Salvatore Yoana Olwoc wrote this book more than fifty years ago. Achiro P. Olwoch, his daughter and publisher, edited it. She rewrote part of it for clarity and insertion of place names which could not be mentioned in the years 1966-1976 to complete the book. Otherwise, the content of the original story is unchanged.
Amnesty has become a common word in African politics over the last seventy years. It means different things to different people. To some, it is a demonstration of the magnanimity of African leaders, their willingness to pardon those who either rise against their 'good' governance or society.
To some, it is a hoax, a public relations stunt which invariably precedes clandestine, wanton atrocities and massacre of those in confinement.
The General's Amnesty is a work of fiction. Although all incidents and situations described in the book reflect a true and fair picture of what happened in Uganda during those dark days, the characters in the book are imaginary and need not be equated to any person dead or alive.
