Recent statistics indicate that the conviction rate of sexual and gender based violence cases has increased from less than 20 per cent to more than 70 percent.
These findings were revealed by Dr Mary Otieno, UNFPA Representative to Uganda in her speech which was delivered by Ms Rachel Ogolla during a High Level Breakfast Meeting on the upcoming Phase Six special court sessions on SGBV cases.
"Since the inception of the special sessions in 2018, over 2000 SGBV Cases have been handled," the speech read in part.
She encouraged the Judiciary and the governance security actors to mainstream best practices noted from the previous sessions held into their routine work, in order to sustain the tremendous progress in administering justice of these cases through special sessions.
The Acting Principal Judge, Hon. Justice Musa Ssekaana, who chaired the high level meeting at Sheraton Kampala Hotel, noted that the sessions were undertaken "as part of fulfilment of Uganda's obligations at international and regional level aimed at addressing the broader goals under gender and access to justice in SDG5 and 16. The ultimate goal of the special sessions is to facilitate the disposal of SGBV cases through the justice system in adherence to set standards and norms."
He noted that there was urgent need to identify the other cases that fall under this category, apart from defilement, murder, rape, trafficking in persons, domestic violence and assault.
Hon. Justice Ssekaana said due to funding constraints, seven of the 14 SGBV sessions that were supposed to be held last did not kick off.
He outlined areas that need to be focused on if these cases are to be handled appropriately. These are but not limited to safety shelters for survivors of SGBV, scientific management of crime, promotion of coordinated and integrated approach among the justice players as well as upscaling of the use of remote services and virtual courts, given the sensitive nature of the cases.
"All these activities are therefore geared towards strengthening specifically through treatment of victims in criminal justice scheme by following a victim centered, ender sensitive and trauma informed approach", he said.
He further appreciated the support rendered by UNFPA over the years and promised that the Judiciary would do its part in ensuring that resources are valued andput to proper use.
The Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Ms Samalie Wakooli, explained the challenges encountered during sessions such as lack of witness protection and bribery of witnesses, delayed cases in the system, impact of trauma, disparity in sentencing, poor investigation and exhibit management as well as the need to give ODPP sufficient time to prepare.
Participants called for a one stop centre in the criminal justice system to enable them do everything in one place, something that will lead to greater disposal of cases.
Ms Rose Nalubega from the Uganda Police Force said the Police has come up with emergency shelters to ensure easy access to witnesses and victims in SGBV offences. "There is one at the CIID headquarters that accommodates up to 400people. We are going to set up one in Nagalama to serve greater Mukono. This is one of the ways to ensure witness protection," she said.
The UNFPA has advanced just over 8 billion UGX since the sessions began in 2018.The funding has facilitated 25 High Court sessions and 18 Chief Magistrates Court sessions throughout the country.
SGBV is an offence committed against a person because of his/her sex or gender identity. It can be sexual, physical, verbal, psychological(emotional), and social-economic.
Recent statistics indicate that the conviction rate of sexual and gender based violence cases has increased from less than 20 per cent to more than 70 percent.
These findings were revealed by Dr Mary Otieno, UNFPA Representative to Uganda in her speech which was delivered by Ms Rachel Ogolla during a High Level Breakfast Meeting on the upcoming Phase Six special court sessions on SGBV cases.
"Since the inception of the special sessions in 2018, over 2000 SGBV Cases have been handled," the speech read in part.
She encouraged the Judiciary and the governance security actors to mainstream best practices noted from the previous sessions held into their routine work, in order to sustain the tremendous progress in administering justice of these cases through special sessions.
The Acting Principal Judge, Hon. Justice Musa Ssekaana, who chaired the high level meeting at Sheraton Kampala Hotel, noted that the sessions were undertaken "as part of fulfilment of Uganda’s obligations at international and regional level aimed at addressing the broader goals under gender and access to justice in SDG5 and 16. The ultimate goal of the special sessions is to facilitate the disposal of SGBV cases through the justice system in adherence to set standards and norms."
He noted that there was urgent need to identify the other cases that fall under this category, apart from defilement, murder, rape, trafficking in persons, domestic violence and assault.
Hon. Justice Ssekaana said due to funding constraints, seven of the 14 SGBV sessions that were supposed to be held last did not kick off.
He outlined areas that need to be focused on if these cases are to be handled appropriately. These are but not limited to safety shelters for survivors of SGBV, scientific management of crime, promotion of coordinated and integrated approach among the justice players as well as upscaling of the use of remote services and virtual courts, given the sensitive nature of the cases.
"All these activities are therefore geared towards strengthening specifically through treatment of victims in criminal justice scheme by following a victim centred, gender sensitive and trauma informed approach", he said.
He further appreciated the support rendered by UNFPA over the years and promised that the Judiciary would do its part in ensuring that resources are valued and put to proper use.
The Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Ms Samalie Wakooli, explained the challenges encountered during sessions such as lack of witness protection andbribery of witnesses, delayed cases in the system, impact of trauma, disparity in sentencing, poor investigation and exhibit management as well as the need to give ODPP sufficient time to prepare.
Participants called for a one stop centre in the criminal justice system to enable them do everything in one place, something that will lead to greater disposal of cases.
Ms Rose Nalubega from the Uganda Police Force said the Police has come up with emergency shelters to ensure easy access to witnesses and victims in SGBV offences. "There is one at the CIID headquarters that accommodates up to 400people. We are going to set up one in Nagalama to serve greater Mukono. This is one of the ways to ensure witness protection," she said.
The UNFPA has advanced just over 8 billion UGX since the sessions began in 2018.The funding has facilitated 25 High Court sessions and 18 Chief Magistrates Court sessions throughout the country.
SGBV is an offence committed against a person because of his/her sex or gender identity. It can be sexual, physical, verbal, psychological(emotional), and social-economic.
Posted 25th, April 2023
