Hon. Justice Zeija addressing participants at the capacity building training for duty bearers on management of the upcoming special court sessions for Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) cases.
Criminaljustice actors from front line Justice, Law and Order Sector institutionsgathered at Mestil Hotel for a capacity building training for duty bearers onmanagement of the upcoming special court sessions for Sexual and Gender BasedViolence (SGBV) cases.
ThePrincipal Judge, Hon. Justice Dr Flavian Zeija, who presided over the trainingsaid that he recently issued Administrative Circular No. 03 Of 2020 OnConducting Sexual and Gender Based Violence Sessions with the objective ofguiding how Phase III sessions should be conducted. "The guidelines wereinformed by the previous successes and challenges, as well as challenges posedby the COVID 19 pandemic."
Heemphasized that generating cause lists should be a joint effort with the OfficeDirector Public Prosecutions, the Police, Prisons, and Probation officers. ThePJ added that 25 per cent of the cases cause listed should include children,women, the disabled, the old and the terminally ill inmates.
In terms of facilitating witnesses, he saidthe Court would give transport refunds and accommodation where necessary inline with the prevailing rates of public transport in the areas participatingin the sessions.
The PJurged the Judicial Officers to adhere to the set 45 days to complete thesessions.
The JLOSSenior Technical Advisor, Ms Rachel Odoi Musoke, said the sessions havedemonstrated the efficacy of a focused and coordinated approach to addressingthese cases that form a large proportion of the pending caseload. "Thesesessions were also aimed at improving the experience of the victims with thecriminal justice system, gender responsive services and the overall systemefficacy."
Shecalled for the rollout of technology and other interventions in casemanagement.
Sheurged the participants to reflect on past sessions so that survivors get acomplete solution to their challenges.
Whilepresenting key issues arising from the implementation of Phase II, Ms LucyLadira, the Criminal Justice Advisor at JLOS Secretariat called for adherenceto sentencing guidelines, specialized training for actors and time-keeping.Other areas of concern were wanting quality of evidence, proper handling ofexhibits as well as management of suspects on bail. The Director of PublicProsecution, Justice Jane Frances Abodo handled Plea Bargaining in SGBV Cases.
TheExecutive Director of the Judicial Training Institute, Hon. Lady JusticeDamalie N. Lwanga shared Good Practices in Management of Criminal Sessions.
Hon.Lady Justice Dr Winfred Nyondo Nabisinde, the in-charge of SGBV cases at theCriminal Division said with support from JLOS and UNFPA, more than 1,500 caseshad been disposed of in 26 courts at High Court and Magisterial level.
Accordingto end of July statistics report for Uganda Prison Services, there are 14,940inmates on SGBV-related offences. Of these, 8,162 are convicts while 6,778 areon remand.
Thetraining also held detailed discussions on "Good Practices in Management ofCriminal Sessions" presented by Hon. Lady Justice Damalie Lwanga, "GoodPractices in Prosecution of SGBV Cases; Challenges and Recommendations".
Hon.Lady Justice Lillian Tibatemwa-Ekirikubinza held an interactive session on GoodPractices in Adjudication of SGBV cases. She urged the participants to rememberthat as actors in the criminal justice system, they are supposed to ensure thatthere is a just outcome.
To crownthe training, a panel discussion was held on how to improve case management ofSGBV cases. The panel, which comprisedof Ms Rose Nalubega from Uganda Police Force, Mr Byamugisha from Directorate ofGovernment Analytical Laboratory and Dr Slyvester Onzivua discussedInvestigating SGBV: Issues of Case Management and Coordination, the Use ofEvidence in Management of SGBV Cases as well as Medico-Legal Aspects of SGBV.
The IIIPhase SGBV Sessions will kick off on September 1 in the High Courts of Arua, Gulu,Jinja, Kiryandongo, Mubende, Kotido, Bundibugyo, Luwero, Iganga, and ChiefMagistrates Courts of Tororo, Apac, Amuria, and Nakapiriprit.
For thelast three years, JLOS with support from UNFPA has held special sessions todispose of Sexual Based Gender Violence cases.
Posted 26th, August 2020
