The Principal Judge, Hon. Justice Dr Flavian Zeija, speaking at a review meeting for Phase IV of the Special Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV)
The Principal Judge, Hon. Justice Dr Flavian Zeija, flagged off a post session review meeting for Phase IV of the Special Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) cases at Mestil Hotel.
The Principal Judge noted that the evaluation process was an important step as it formed steps for preparations for Phase V sessions. "Its purpose is to make judgments about a program, to improve its effectiveness, and/or to inform programming decisions," he said.
He reminded the participants from the different justice institutions that so far, four phases of these special sessions have already been conducted and successfully completed, phase five sessions are scheduled to begin this August 2022. Adding that a total of 2,751 sexual-related cases have so far been disposed of as a result of the dedicated sessions.
"For the year 2022, 10high court sessions be will conducted at Tororo, Kamuli, Kamwenge, Nebbi, Bushenyi, Kitgum, Kotido, Kiryandongo, Nakasongolo, Lwengo and four ChiefMagistrate sessions in Kayunga, Pader, Tororo and Amuria," he said.
The Principal Judge shared that the selection of project sites for SGBV sessions was based on thedonor priority districts as well as areas where SGBV cases are prevalent.
Adding that the main objective of the special SGBV sessions was to test the sustainability of usinga specialized framework to dispose of SGBV cases.
He said the sessions are being used to test the viability of adjudicating SGBV cases through a specialized court; hear and dispose SGBV cases expeditiously and also to examine whether there is need to have specialized framework for SGBV cases.
The Principal Judge noted the need to sensitize public about the urgent need to address SGBV in line with Uganda’s commitments in the Kampala Declaration, Maputo Protocol and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 5 and 16.
He went on to highlight some challenges that still exist in the management of SGBV cases.
These include; many difficulties in the scientific management of crime, lack of safe and accessible shelters for survivors of SGBV, lack of regular training of all actors, weak or absence of data management systems across all participating institutions and lack or low usage of remote services and virtual courts such as telephone and video hearings in dispensation of justice in SGBV cases. These, he said, are crucial for enhancing victim protection, making courts easily accessible and promoting expeditious disposal of cases.
He called for additional interventions to address those challenges. "I call upon our funding partners to consider assisting the relevant Justice Law and Order institutions in addressing the challenges in order for us all, to achieve a more meaningful impact in the fight against the menace of SGBV offences."
The day's activities will conclude with adoption of best practices to improve the management of SGBV sessions.
Posted 11th, August 2022
