The Deputy Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Richard Buteera speaking at the launch of the Strengthening Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme (2022-2027)
The Deputy Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Richard Buteera, on Friday November 25, 2022 launched a five year Strengthening Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme (2022-2027) at Imperial Royale Hotel, Kampala. The launch was organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Uganda Office.
The overall objective of the Programme is, "To contribute to the strengthening of the rule of law through crime prevention and the promotion of effective, fair, humane and accountable criminal justice systems in line with the United Nations standards and norms in crime prevention and criminal justice and other relevant international instruments".
The Deputy Chief Justice noted that this was a timely intervention that will strengthen access to justice. "If we continue to work together we shall improve access to Justice for all and especially the vulnerable groups," he said. Adding that, "the Uganda Judiciary shall always participate in the Programme with the objective of promotion of effective, fair, humane and accountable criminal justice Institutions."
He said he was happy that the Programme brings together the institutions under the Administration of Justice Programme(AJP) which are the chain of institutions that must work together to deliverc riminal Justice to the people of Uganda.
The DCJ called upon all stakeholders to take the implementation of the UNODC Programme seriously to enable effective administration and delivery of criminal justice systems in Uganda which shall in turn contribute to economic development of our country.
"We must ensure that that all the technical, management, reporting, accountability and stakeholder engagement aspects of the Programme are properly and effectively done to ensure the success of the Programme at the highest international and UN body standards," he said.
The Judiciary Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Judiciary, Dr Pius Bigirimana, commended UNODC for partnering with the Criminal Justice Actors to strengthen crime prevention and criminal justice in Uganda. "I want to commend UNODC for this-five-year Project because it eases our planning and budgeting for the subsequent years. There is always so much pressure on the institutions to implement activities within as mall period of time. Therefore, with the five-year Project, implementing partners will be able to plan accordingly," he said.
The head of the Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court, Hon. Justice Lawrence Gidudu who was a panelist at the launch, noted the need for having water tight investigations. He noted the need for all justice actors to have their records and findings digitized for criminal cases to be successfully prosecuted in Courts of law. He added that criminals are always ahead of Police investigators digitally and cyberlaws are behind the fast phased technology advancements and therefore the laws regulating digital and cyber space should be aligned and regularly reformed. He applauded UNODC that some areas of focus for the Programme like digitalization and capacity building of institutions in the criminal justice systems are highly necessary and welcomed.
Ms. Susan Ngongi Namondo, the UN Resident Coordinator in Uganda said the UNODC five year Programme "is value added to the Uganda Governments efforts to expand access to justice to all Ugandans".
The launch was witnessed by the Principal Judge, Hon. Justice Dr Flavian Zeija, the Director of PublicProsecutions, Justice Jane Frances Abodo, Head of the Criminal Division, Justice Michael Elubu, the Commissioner General of Prisons, Dr Johnson Byabashaija, Diplomatic Corps, among others.
The Judiciary was well represented at the launch with attendance of other Judicial Officers and technical staff who included HW John Paul Edoku, Deputy Registrar Planning, Research and Development who is also the Judiciary Focal Point Person on UNODC Programme; HW Ereemye Jumire James Mawanda, Deputy Registrar Magistrates Affairs and DataManagement/In-charge; HW Allan Gakyaro Mpiirwe, PA to the DCJ; HW Julius Mwesigye, PA to the PJ; Mr Simon Peter Opolot, Principal Economist/Head Policy and Planning Unit; and Mr Julius Caesar Kagoro, Senior Policy Analyst.
Posted 25th, November 2022
