The Ambassador of Sweden in Uganda, H.E Maria Hakansson receiving the Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Alfonse Owiny - Dollo at the UNFPA offices
The Judiciary received five sets of mobile court recording devices and five laptops worth $33,194(Shs118,517,500) from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) with support from the Austria Development Cooperation.
The equipment is meant for use during mobile court sessions of sexual and gender-based violence cases.
The donation was received by the Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny - Dollo Dollo, on behalf of the Judiciary, in a scientific ceremony held at the UNFPA offices in Kololo.
The Chief Justice thanked the UNFPA for the invaluable support towards courts in managing gender based violence cases and victim support.
He noted that 1,922cases have so far been completed with support from the UN agency. "At the moment, sessions have commenced for hearing and determining in gender-based crimes in the High Court circuits of Tororo, Iganga, Mbarara, Luwero, Gulu, Moroto, Kasese, Otuke, Adjumani and Masaka. And four sessions are being held inthe Chief Magistrates Courts of Tororo, Busia, Apac and Nakapiripirit." The sesessions are targeting to clear 700 cases.
He went on to appreciate the donors including the people of Austria, Sweden and the European Union, for giving hope to the gender-based violence survivors. "I can confidently say that this invaluable support will help us in accelerating the realization of one of our utmost dreams, strengthening the use of ICT in the delivery of justice. We promise to deploy to proper and effective use, these recording devices and laptop computers, in line with our partnership objectives," the Chief Justice said.
The UNFPA Representative in Uganda, Dr Mary Otieno, said that the joint handover ceremony demonstrated all the partners' dedication towards delivering an integrated package of rights to advance sexual and reproductive health in Uganda.
"Leveraging on the comparative advantage of both the Government institutions and synergies between the projects supported by different donors, UNFPA is committed to support Uganda’s efforts to protect the women and girls of Uganda. Now, more than ever, it’s clear that only through partnership and cooperation can we ensure a healthy, safe and prosperous future for all," Dr Otieno said. The Ministry of Health, Uganda Police Force and Uganda Bureau of Statistics equally received an assortment of equipment from UNFPA.
The Ambassador of Sweden in Uganda, H.E Maria Hakansson reaffirmed support to the Government of Uganda, working with UN agencies to ensure universal access to quality, integrated sexual and reproductive health and rights. In addition to gender-based violence prevention and response, access to HIV information and services.
UNFPA Uganda committed to continue working together with the Judiciary through the partnership with Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs to provide better services to the people of Uganda.
Posted 7th, December 2021
