L-R: HW Ereemye (Deputy Registrar Magistrates' Affairs), Ms. Kasande (Under Secretary) , HW Langa(Chief Registrar) and Hon. Justice Namundi (Resident Judge, Mbale) at the launch of the Mbale High Court Creche to Improve Child-Friendly Services
On March 20, 2023different stakeholders gathered at Mbale High Court Circuit to witness the launch of the child care centre at the Court.
The Centre was formally launched by the Head of Circuit, Hon. Justice Godfrey Namundi who applauded the Judiciary administration for the innovation of setting up child-friendly facilities at courts. He said that such facilities provide safe spaces where children can fully participate and be heard during court hearings. He added that the spaces offer an opportunity to court staff to nurse their children when they are at Court.
Adding, "It is in this spirit that the Judiciary management set up the Child Care Centre and the Child Witness Protection Room at Mbale High Court to minimize the many obstacles in realizing the right to access justice for children.
"Children's access to justice requires a system that fully respects and protects the rights of the child; and also a system that children can understand, trust and feel empowered to use, including when they are exposed to violence as victims, witnesses and alleged offenders...and I believe the centre offers such services," the Judge said.
Hon. Justice Namundi expressed his gratitude to the Judiciary Management for ensuring that Mbale High Court is among the first courts to have such a facility in place. He called upon all stakeholders to exercise their roles to ensure the facility is preserved and justice for children is served.
Focusing On Children and Women
The Chief Registrar, HW Sarah Langa Siu, noted with concern that over the years, little attention was being given to women and children as a category of people that require special attention in the physical spaces in which justice was administered.
She noted that this was changing with courts being more intentional about facilities that safeguard the dignity of women and children. "In planning new Court structures, we could not remain with old mindsets and go without catering for child care centres. A tall our new court premises, we have standardized child care facilities that are centrally set up to ensure that the facilities are the same across all our courts. We thank God that Mbale is among the first beneficiaries of this aspect of the "New Judiciary"."
Explaining the need for the child care centre, the Chief Registrar noted that the Centre is meant to provide a place where working mothers and, or lactating employees can safely breastfeed or express breast milk for their babies, and children can play, as well as rest when the need arises.
Guidelines
She explained that the newly set-up child care centre is to be utilized by children below the age of18 years, who are accompanied by adults. "This Centre is for mothers to breastfeed their babies. It's a place for children to present evidence in Court when required," she said. Adding that Staff of the Judiciary will not be used as caretakers or minders of the children at the Centre and that items of the Centre should never be carried out of the Centre. "Take good care of items found in the Centre. Where help is needed, contact any court staff available," she said.
The Chief Registrar noted that having child care centres at a place of work lowers rates of absenteeism of nursing mothers, increases morale and activity and provides a return on investment.
She added that she hoped that with the new initiative, the lives of mothers as well as their children is made more bearable while they are at Court which is part of having a meaningful experience of justice. "Evidence is also collected flawlessly due to the environment created in the witness room.
The Plan
The Judiciary Under Secretary, Ms. Maureen Kasande, said setting up child care centres is part of the Judiciary Strategic Plan. "The plan is to set up 67 child care centers at the different courts by 2025. I am very glad that we are looking at the first steps being taken and with time, more shall follow," she noted.
Ms. Kasande pointed out that the childcare centre has two components; the baby care room and the child waiting room and if funds allow, there will be gadgets to enable the children to give testimony.
The Court's Assistant Registrar, HW Kagoda Moses Ntende, committed to ensuring that the facility is used for the sole purpose of ensuring that the lives of the mothers as well as their children is made more bearable when they have to be at Court.
Call to Respect Humanity
The Mbale Resident City Commissioner, Mr. John Rex Achila applauded all stakeholders for the collective effort to create a peaceful Mbale calling upon all to use the launch of this facility to reflect on humanity as a whole. “Mbale is secure and all of us have contributed to this security, let's use this occasion to reflect on humanity. A child is a continuity of humanity. We must identify the fact that we need each other to bring peace and Justice,” he noted.
Both the Mbale City Deputy Town Clerk and the Coordinator for Justice for Children, Ms Loyce Napiya, each pledged to support the Centre and ensure that it is put to optimum use. They thanked the Judiciary for considering Mbale as part of the pioneers adding that this will positively impact the service delivery of Mbale city.
The childcare Centres are fully funded by the Government of Uganda.
Posted 20th, March 2023
