Group Photo: Key stakeholders in justice, law and order institutions in the preparation of the Special Sessions scheduled to handle Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
The Principal Judge, Hon. Justice Dr Flavian Zeija, presided over a breakfast meeting at Sheraton hotel in preparation of the Special Sessions scheduled to handle Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Phase V cases starting on August 15, 2022.
The sessions are being conducted in conjunction with the Governance and Security Secretariat, with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
The sessions which will be handled in two clusters, will handle cases from 14 courts. Cluster I will handle capital cases from Tororo, Bushenyi, Nebbi, Kamuli, and Kamwenge. Chief Magistrate sessions will be conducted in Pader and Kayunga.
Under Cluster II, sessions will beheld in the Chief Magistrates' Courts of Tororo and Amuria while High Court sessions will be held in Kitgum, Mbarara, Kiryandongo, Nakasongola and Lwengo.
The sessions are in response to the urgent need to reduce the growing threat of SGBV offenses as well as fulfill Uganda's commitments to eradicate SGBV in the country.
The Principal Judge noted that in2021, sex-related offenses were rampant in Uganda with an overall of 16,373reported cases. "The lockdowns and quarantine policies meant to protect people from Covid 19 unintentionally brought out greater dangers and deadly risks like increase in Sexual Gender Based Violence and Domestic Violence. For many girls and women, danger emerged in the place where many assume it would be safe - that is within the home and its environs," he said.
He reiterated the Judiciary's commitment to handle SGBV cases while calling for collaborative efforts of justice actors. "This situation requires drastic action by the various justice, law, and order actors to counter the continuous high trend of SGBV cases. As the Judiciary, we are committed to our determination to eliminate the menace of these SGBV offenses. I urge all participating Justice, Law and order institutions to ready themselves and render all the necessary support for the success of these sessions," he noted.
The UNFPA representative, Dr. Edison Muhwezi commended the various actors for this partnership and cordial relationship to enhance Justice for survivors of SGBV while holding the perpetrators accountable. He expressed UNFPA’s to achieve this common goal. "UNFPA is still committed to working with all stakeholders to achieve the global transformative result on ending gender-based violence and harmfulpractices...it will also strengthen capacity to enhance efficiency and responsiveness of the justice system in ensuring access to justice for survivors in both development and humanitarian settings," he noted.
It was reported that UNFPA has so far given UGX7.7 billion in the last four years towards the special sessions. This has enabled the handling of 38 sessions both in High Court and Chief Magistrate courts. This has translated into the disposal of 2,751 cases. Part of the funds have been utilized in compiling a compendium of resources for pre-session training, media engagements, and project reviews at the end of the sessions.
The Advisor Criminal Justice, Governance and Security Programme Secretariat, Ms Lucy Ladira noted that the activities are all geared towards strengthening the treatment of victims in the criminal justice system, promotion of a coordinated and integrated approach among the various role-players in the chain of justice; and target interventions to strengthen the investigative and prosecutorial function, all meant to improve case outcomes for both victims and accused persons.
Issues that need attention include, the need to equip the Directorate of Government Analytical Laboratories (DGAL)to help examine and preserve evidence, the need for shelters, regular training, and strengthening data and information collection. Use of radios to summon witnesses, innovative activism among the actors and provision of legal and policy reforms, create awareness among court users, and ensure quality disposal of judgments.
The meeting was attended by key stakeholders in justice, law and order institutions.
Posted 5th, August 2022
