Editor's Note

Shinning the spotlight on the fight against SGBV

There is no doubt Sexual Gender-based Violence (SGBV) is a global public health and social-economic emergency with victims being predominantly women and girls. The numbers do not lie. The global economic cost of SGBV has been quantified by the UN Women - estimated at an astounding $1.5T (pre COVID numbers). Uganda spends approximately UGX 50.5B annually on dealing with the effects of gender-based violence (per research by CEDOVIP – a local CSO).

As a result, SGBV has emerged as a critical focus area for the Access to Justice Sub-programme (JLOS) with multiple interventions designed to bring justice to victims and offenders through the JLOS chain-linked model.

This edition of the JLOS Bulletin takes a deep dive into the game changing SGBV special sessions funded by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) since 2018 and implemented in 25 High Courts and 18 Chief Magistrates Courts throughout the country. These special sessions are responsible for the significant case backlog reduction and turn-around in the finalization of SGBV cases driven by improved investigation, prosecution, and adjudication.

The case for digital transformation of crime management business processes is therefore formidable and needs to be embraced across the entire chain of justice.

Investments in forensic science in the Uganda Police Force have infused technology in management of SGBV cases through improved data analysis to inform SGBV response and prevention efforts, as well as streamlined case management and collaboration between all players. The case for digital transformation of crime management business processes is therefore formidable and needs to be embraced across the entire chain of justice.

In this SGBV special edition, we speak with Justice Susan Okalany who takes us on a remarkable 20-year journey of being at the frontlines of the fight against SGBV: first as a prosecutor and now a judge of the High Court of Uganda. Justice Okalany’s direct, insightful, and unique take on this sensitive subject is both rich and refreshing.

SGBV has many cross-cutting elements and dependencies. This edition explores all the dynamics involved: prosecution of SGBV crimes; human trafficking aspects; the probation mandate and child protection; alternative models (socio-legal approaches) for reducing and preventing SGBV; the nexus between land rights, conflicts and SGBV; and the role played by the media in ending SGBV. And so much more!

We hope you enjoy reading. Send us feedback and let us know what you think. 

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EDITORS:

Rachel Odoi-Musoke

Lucy Ladira

Barbara Kitui

Edgar Kuhimbisa

CONTRIBUTORS

Justice Susan Okalany

Lucy Ladira

Andrew K. Mubiru

Jacqueline Okui

John V. Sserwaniko

Barbara Kitui

Grace Chelimo

Brenda Kyomugisha

Rose Aaca

Sarah Kekimuri

Moses Sserwanga

Monica Kyamazima

Edgar Kuhimbisa

 PUBLISHED BY:

Governance and Security Programme Secretariat

Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs

Baumann House, Parliament Avenue

P.O BOX 7183, Kampala

Phone: 0414253207

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website: www.jlos.go.ug

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FOREWORD BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE

For 15 years, the Justice Law and Order Sector (JLOS) has spearheaded the promotion of the rule of law and access to justice for all Ugandans. JLOS has become synonymous with cutting-edge reforms and innovations in the justice system, these which can be traced back to the highly acclaimed Chain Linked Initiative first launched in 1999. In doing so, the Sector has driven improvements in infrastructure, human development, and institutional capacity as well as introduced new ways of delivering justice and ensuring law and order

From promoting Community Policing, a joint effort approach that allows the Uganda Police and the communities within which they serve to work together to maintain law and order, to prioritizing children’s cases in courts in an effort for improved juvenile justice, to improving the environment for doing business through commercial justice reforms, the Sector has undoubtedly impacted the lives of many Ugandans. JLOS is committed to concretizing these efforts especially to serve the poorest and most vulnerable among the Ugandan population.

It is my pleasure therefore to introduce this publication that highlights some JLOS innovations and interventions that tell of the Sector’s impact over the years. These stories highlight our demonstrated pledge to ensure justice for all and JLOS’s contribution to building a renewed trust in the institutions mandated with delivering justice in Uganda. Further to that, they provide an insight into the ideal future that we envisage for the Sector and for the Ugandan society as far as justice, law and order are concerned.

While the stories highlighted reflect how far the Sector has come, we are cognizant of the challenge for continuous improvement and accept it with a renewed zeal. JLOS, therefore, remains dedicated to the creation of a society that protects and promotes fundamental rights, one that ensures the respect of law as well as one that works to build the necessary structures to nurture a vibrant and growing economy for Uganda. As we work more closely with our partners in Government, civil society, the international community, and with Ugandans from all walks of life, we look forward to greater achievements in the years to come.

Bart M. Katureebe

Chief Justice of the Republic of Uganda

October 10, 2015 

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Produced by LPLC Consult Uganda, Ltd. for JLOS - the Justice Law and Order Sector in Uganda 

Financed by the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC) © 2015 - The Justice, Law and Order Sector (Government of the Republic of Uganda). All Rights Reserved.

Lead Writer and Editor:

 Annet Mbabazi Ntezi

JLOS Editorial Team:

Rachel Odoi-Musoke

Sam Rogers Wairagala

Edgar Kuhimbisa

Design and Layout:

Gerald Ssali (87 Eight Seven)