Editor

Editor

The Office of the Administrator General manages estates of deceased persons, who die without leaving a will, or where a will has been left but disputes arise in the management or distribution of the deceased person’s property. The office also Institutes legal proceedings in Courts of law against intermeddlers, fraudulent administrators of deceased’s estates, unscrupulous relatives and others for the recovery of the deceased’s properties from wrong hands.

Other functions include: distribution of properties of deceased persons to the beneficiaries of their estates and winding up of estates; management of the interests or properties of minors and persons of unsound mind, which come under the control of the Public Trustees in accordance with the Public Trustee Act; giving legal advice and arbitrating in succession matters to resolve conflicts and issuing Certificates of No Objection to persons intending to apply to Court for Letters of Administration

 

Service Information

  1. Buy a file from 15 on 3rd Floor, at Ug. Shs. 2,000/=
  2. Fill in all relevant information in the A.G.A Form. MAKE SURE you indicate the PROPER and CORRECT names of the deceased person as they appear on the death Certificate or the land Title or Bank Account.
  3. Attach a Death Certificate or Affidavit in Lieu of a Death Certificate.
  4. Take the file to a Legal Officer for Sanctioning.
  5. After the file is authorized to be opened by a Legal Officer, take it to the Registry in Room 6 on 2nd Floor to be given a file number.
  6. The Registry officials will then give you a card indicating the file number and tell you when you should return to find out which legal officer will be handling your file. This is usually one to three days after the file has been given a file number.
  7. After the file is allocated to a Legal Officer, he or she will cause a family meeting to be held either at Georgian House in the offices of the Administrator general or through the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of the district where the deceased person had his or her residence. The CAO may request the concerned Sub County or Parish Chief to hold this meeting.
  8. The Administrator General may request additional information if he or she finds that the meeting at CAO’s office was not properly held or that it was not attended by all the concerned beneficiaries.
  9. During this meeting in number 7 above, the family is expected to nominate a person or persons to take over administration of the estate of the deceased person.
  10. Following the family meeting of all concerned beneficiaries, a certificate of No Objection will be issued within 28 days after the Legal handling the file has received the photocopies of identification documents of all the persons who attended the meeting; and the photographs of the persons who are applying for a Certificate of No Objection (intending administrators
  11. For all beneficiaries, including children who live outside Uganda, the Administrator General requires a Power of Attorney properly made and notarized in the country where the beneficiary lives. The beneficiary must indicate that he or she agrees with the process being undertaken in Uganda, Including the persons who are being nominated to administer the estate of the deceased.
  12. The Administrator General issues a Certificate of No Objection to the person(s) nominated to enable them apply for Letters of Administration in the relevant Court of Law.
  13. A Certificate of No Objection is issued at a cost of U. shs. 2,000/= in either Room 12,13 or Room 1
  14. The Office of the Administrator General does Not Issue Letters of Administration.
  15. The Office of the Administrator General does not get involved in matters where Letters of Administration from a competent Court have already been issued for the estate.

 

Fees Information

  1. Buying a file and Death Report form: 2,000/= payable in Room 15
  2. Buying a Certificate of No Objection: 2,000/= payable in Room 15
  3. 1% of the value of the property (before the Administrator General issues a transfer of property in cases where the Administrator General is the administrator of the estate). This money is paid in Room 15 and is receipted.
  4. 1% of the amount of money in the custody of the Administrator General (before the Administrator General pays out any money to a beneficiary of an estate being administered by the Administrator General). This money is paid in Room 15 and is receipted.

All other fees and charges involved and necessary in the administration of the estate not limited to the following: Central and Local Government taxes, rates, and fees; Title registration fees; Charges for making Special and Substitute Certificates of Title in the Land office; Fees for land surveying, including opening of boundaries must be paid out of the estate or by the beneficiaries themselves in cases where the Administrator General is administering the estate.

Fees and Cost including those awarded against the Administrator General MUST be borne by the estate or paid by the beneficiaries. The Administrator General DOES NOT CHARGE ANY FEES for holding family and other meetings at the offices of the Administrator General

 

 

See also:

 

 Office of the Ad Office of the Administrator General: Client Charter

  Office of the Administrator General: Service Manual (481.06 kB) 

 

 

KAMPALA - The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) in partnership with the Justice, Law and Order Sector (JLOS) held the 2nd JLOS Annual Anti-Corruption Forum on 28th October 2020, as part of the Government annual anti-corruption campaign. The Forum was held under the theme “Technological Readiness for Effective Accountability in Pursuit of a National Middle-Income Status: A Critical Reflection on JLOS Anti-Corruption Legal Enforcement’. The focus was the operability and effectiveness of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the Anti-Corruption Court Division of the High Court, in light of the use of technology.

The Forum was convened and presided over by Hon. Justice Jane Frances Abodo, the Director of Public Prosecutions who emphasised the importance of embracing technological capabilities to meet the contemporary crime challenges and manifestations, especially for white-collar crime. The Forum demonstrated how technological advancements have increased the sophistication of crime, now invisible to traditional crime management systems. Economic crime in particular, has a direct negative correlation with development and if left unchecked, can pave way for State capture. It can undermine and further delay Uganda’s development efforts and aspiration for a middle-income economic status.

Development Partners, including the United Nations Development Programme and the Austria Development Agency in Uganda emphasised the corrosive effect of corruption on Uganda’s economic growth and welfare of citizens. The poor and marginalised persons are prone to suffer a disproportionately higher burden of corruption when for instance seeking justice services or medical care. The Partners echoed their commitment to support Uganda’s development agenda, more so in the modernisation of the justice, law and order institutions, and building technological capabilities to effectively combat corruption. 

The Forum resolved to enhance institutional strengthening and integration, reforming and completing pipeline anti-corruption legislation, and embrace the required technologies. Embracing integrated modern hardware and software technologies, applying big data and machine learning to facilitate processes among the criminal justice chain-linked institutions, should be integrated with credible system security against hackers and internal breaches. The technological reforms should be matched with specialised human resource skilling and development of expert anti-corruption investigators, prosecutors and adjudicators. Matters of legality and admissibility of evidence sourced from local and international jurisdictions using mutual legal assistance procedures are equally very important. Therefore, investment in research and innovation in different spheres of technological development and application is key to ensure a holistic transformation. This is the reality of the fourth industrial revolution.

From a governance point of view, while modern technology minimises opportunistic corruption and enhances institutional efficiency, the transformation should be matched with sufficient sensitisation of duty bearers and the public to ensure informed and effective utilisation of the proposed developments. Stakeholder inclusion is central to ensure no one is left behind under this transformation in terms of access and operability for both duty bearers and the public. As a matter of caution, data protection, systems security, management and regard for human rights must be observed. Data privacy, confidentiality and protection are critical considerations that must be part of a technological revolution. The transformation must comply with modernisation and legality to maintain legitimacy and the rule of law of Uganda’s anti-corruption enforcement.

In attendance was Hon. Lady Justice Jane Okuo – Judge of the Anti-Corruption Court; AIGP Grace Akullo - the Director of Criminal Investigations in the Uganda Police Force; Mrs. Alice K. Khaukha – the Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions; and Dr. Syliva Namubiru - the Chief Executive Officer of the Legal Aid Service Providers Network (LASPNET) that explored current trends and gaps that need urgent redress. Dr. Anga R. Timilsina (Ph.D.), the Global Programme Advisor on Anti-corruption at United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) provided a global perspective to embracing technology in anti-corruption law enforcement. The Forum was coordinated by the JLOS Secretariat, represented by the Senior Technical Advisor, Ms. Rachel Odoi-Musoke and attended by over 150 stakeholders from various government departments, civil society, the academia, development partners, and the general public.

 

 By Mudoi Musa

  

Published: October 29, 2020

KAMPALA -- Following complaints from the public about the delays in the administration of cases, the Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny Dollo has launched an Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS) which will help to fight case backlog and improve the delivery of justice.

Speaking during the launch of ECCMIS at High Court Kampala, Owiny-Dollo urged all the judicial officers to embrace the system for better service delivery.

 

READ MORE

 

Published: 20th October 2021

ABOUT JUSTICE AND ACCOUNTABILITY REFORM (JAR)

In December 2017, the European Union signed an agreement with the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development (MoFPED) to provide 66 million Euros for three years to strengthen performance and reforms in the Justice Law and Order Sector and Accountability Sector.

The Justice Law and Order Sector (JLOS) is a sector-wide approach (SWAP) adopted by the Uganda Government since 2000 to bring together institutions with closely linked mandates of administering justice and maintaining law and order and human rights. This was undertaken to develop a common vision, policy framework, unified objectives, and plan over the medium term. JLOS focuses on a holistic approach to improving access to and administration of justice through the SWAP, including planning, budgeting, program implementations, monitoring, and evaluation. JLOS brings increased coordination and cooperation among key institutions involved in the administration of justice. The framework has enhanced coherence in policy discussion and decision-making and resource allocation with the institutions involved.

Conceived as a reform initiative, the sector's mission is to improve the safety of the person, security of property, observance of human rights, and access to justice to promote growth, employment, and prosperity. Currently, the mandates of the JLOS institutions cover justice administration, maintenance of law and order, and access to justice mechanisms. The current fourth JLOS Sector Investment Plan (SDP IV, 2017-2020) is organized around 3 strategic high-level outcomes: (1) Infrastructure and access to JLOS services enhanced, (2) Observance of Human Rights and fight against corruption promoted, and (3) Commercial justice and the environment for competitiveness strengthened.

NDP III notes challenges faced by JLOS institutions relating to low levels of service delivery, corruption, limited infrastructure and slow implementation and fulfillment of international and regional human rights commitments. Given the high rates of vulnerability in the country, access to justice for vulnerable groups and poor persons is heavily reliant on legal aid, most of which is provided by Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) but on a limited geographical scale and using narrow legal aid models. Weak case management builds up to various constraints across the JLOS institutions. The spill-over effect is felt also in Accountability Sector, which has the mandate to fight corruption through sanctions, investigations, and prosecutions. The current case management systems in frontline JLOS institutions (Police, Government Analytical Laboratory (GAL), Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Judiciary, Prisons) among others are overburdened, slow, and primarily completed manually for the most part. This leads to high lead times, increased cost of access, opportunistic corruption and slow decision making.

The current Technical Assistance is part of the 11th EDF Justice and Accountability Reform (JAR) Sector Reform Performance Contract (SRPC). The overall objective of the SRPC is "to contribute to the sustainable development and inclusive economic growth of Uganda". 

This activity is organized under Result 5 of the JAR project, on "Support to case management in JLOS".  Result 5 addresses the following: 

I. The institutional case management and rules and procedures that delay the disposal of cases have been reviewed.

II. The analysis and re-design of case management business processes have been completed. 

III. The proportion of records managed and stored through automated systems has been increased

IV. The design- and development phases of Integrated Information Management Systems have been completed for several JLOS institutions based on an interoperability framework

V. The supervision functions and M&E systems of JLOS institutions have been strengthened.

VI. Innovative actions for the automation of Uganda's case-management system (CMS) have been developed and implemented.

This activity falls under (VI) above. 

 

PROBLEM STATEMENT

The Access to Justice Sub-Programme (formerly referred to as the Justice, Law and Order Sector) was set into motion twenty (20) years ago as an innovative reform program whose goal was to resolve bottlenecks in access to justice in Uganda. To achieve this mandate, JLOS has always championed innovation through its various intervention areas documented in the following Sector development/investment plans (SIPs): SIP 1 ; SIP 2 ; SIP 3 ; and currently via the Access to Justice Sub-programme strategic plan (2020 – 2025).

With the evolving work environment and emerging challenges in the access to justice delivery arena (augmented by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020), JLOS needs to continuously re-invent itself to provide solutions to problems, add value to its member institutions but perhaps most importantly create new realities and experiences for people through digital service delivery models. This specifically calls for the need to mainstream innovation as part of JLOS’ digital transformation agenda described in the e-Justice Strategy (2021- 2026). 

The Access to Justice sub-programme seeks innovative digital solutions to address the JLOS' most pressing challenges in access to justice using technology-driven mechanisms, processes, platforms, and applications. These solutions shall not only meet the current (and future) demands and challenges of justice delivery in Uganda but harness opportunities presented by new ideas, sustainable “home-grown” solutions, and emerging technologies. 

The successful innovators / vendors shall while working with front-line JLOS institutions such as the Uganda Police, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), Courts of Judicature, Uganda Prisons Services, Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control (DCIC), Judicial Service Commission (JSC);Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC); National identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs and the Uganda Registration Service Bureau (URSB) design and develop innovative justice products and services around case management in JLOS through cutting-edge technologies using the human-centered design approach that takes into account the unique needs of justice actors and the general public. 

This is in line with the overall objective of SDG 16.1 – ensuring equal justice for all – by putting people and their legal needs at the center of justice systems; and JLOS’ theme of “advancing an integrated people-centered access to justice delivery system”.

 

SOLUTION

The digital innovative solution in access to justice should demonstrate the ability to contribute to any of the following key JLOS focus areas:

● Strengthening access to legal aid services;

● Strengthening measures to effectively and efficiently prevent and respond to crime;

● Stakeholder empowerment and enhanced access to information;

● Promoting gender equality and equitable access to justice;

● Empowering citizens on human rights and obligations;

 

DELIVERABLES

The expected deliverables from innovators/vendors will include.

● Concept Note, Functional Requirements Specifications and Systems Design Document & financial proposal

● Implemented innovation through a Pilot.

● Innovation completion report, highlighting lessons learned and plan/proposal for a National rollout.

 

FUNDING

This innovation fund is available to legally registered local entities based in Uganda with proven experience and pedigree working on access to justice interventions and innovative solutions in the digital space.

Euro €80,000 is available from the Justice and Accountability Reform (JAR) project to support digital innovative solution(s) that shall be selected for piloting in the JLOS (access to justice) operational environment between  August 2020 and May 2022. 

The project shall support two innovations. Each project will have a maximum budget of Euros € 40,000.

 

SELECTION CRITERIA

The Successful innovation(s) will be selected based on (but not limited to) the following parameters:

a) Impact: The ability of the innovation to address key JLOS focus/problem areas  described in Section 1.0 (the ability of the solution in improving access to justice, especially for the ordinary citizens in the public domain)

b) Technical ability: Ability of the applicant(s) to demonstrate technical skill, knowledge and capability to implement the proposed solution(s)  - preferably via a functional prototype

c) Scalability: the ability to scale up, evolve, and grow the innovative solution in other JLOS institutions beyond a pilot rollout

d) Cross-cutting nature of the innovation: Ability of the digital innovative solution to add value to multiple JLOS institutions and associated entities

e) Ownership: Willingness of the entity to transfer ownership of the proposed solution to the access to justice sub-program (JLOS) for further growth (upgrade), implementation, and operationalization.

f) Proven experience and pedigree working on access to justice interventions and innovative solutions in the digital space

 

APPLICATION & EVALUATION 

Proposals for innovation shall be submitted in PDF format to Chiara Minelli via email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) with a copy to Johnson Mwebaze  (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)  by October 15th, 2021 – 4:00 PM (EAT).

The duration of this activity shall be Five (5) months from the date of the award. Successful innovators shall be notified within two (02)weeks after the submission closing date.

 

DOWNLOAD THIS CALL (pdf)

 

Published: 27th September 2021

Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) play a vital role in the development of the Ugandan economy. MSMEs collectively constitute about 90% of private sector production and employ over 2,5 million people. The results of a recent survey carried out with over 1800 MSMEs in Uganda highlighted that one fifth of MSMEs have not registered, and three quarters do not have a tax identification number (NATHAN, FSD & TNS, 2015 ‘National Small Business Survey of Uganda’). Around a quarter say they do not know how to register, or that it is too complicated to do so. But registration is required in order to trade, expand and receive licenses. Hence, there is a huge opportunity to sensitize and provide these businesses with legal guidance in making their business sustainable. 

The mSMEGarage is a spin off lead by Barefoot Lawyers that provides legal services – in various stages of their development – to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Uganda. Founded by Gerald Abila and Michael Kwizera, the mSMEGarage is aiming to reach over 1000 SMEs in its first 6 months. One thing that makes them innovative, is that they leverage on Africa’s growing social media penetration and use those channels to provide legal support.

Timothy Kakuru is the Garage’s project manager, heading the operations and providing virtual assistance to its registered members through Facebook, WhatAapp and via their website. The website content is constantly being updated with new legal information on business registration, contracting, patenting, licensing, taxation or legal procedures. Users have to register in order to download template legal documents or book an appointment for a face-to-face consultation with a lawyer. In addition, four field executives - business analysts – work full time to approach small business owners at various locations in Kampala to ask about their legal needs and interest in registering for the mSMEGarage. 

One of mSMEGarage’s clients is Tambula. Tambula is a boda-boda-tracking company that launched in 2014 to increase safety and security for Kampala’s thousands of motorcycles – many of which end up in accidents or are violently mugged at night. The founders developed a new software that can track the location of their member-boda’s via geo-tagging and automatically generates reports when accidents occur through a smartphone application. 

It turns out the MSMEGarage was indispensable in making their business grow to a success. As its founder Ivan explains: “The mSMEGarage walked with us all the way through incorporation and the development of designs that could stand patent protection worldwide. With this we have been able to get a Microsoft grant of 25,000 USD and have now reached thousands more bodaboda riders in the country." Apparently, newly developed companies are in particular need of affordable legal advice which seems to be simply missing in Uganda. "A team as intelligent and versatile as at the SME garage is quite difficult to find this side of Africa, that is rooted to the ground and particularly understands the hurdles of new businesses in Uganda.” 

The mSMEGarage won second place during the Innovating Justice Awards 2015, organized by HiiL, with an investment of 20.000USD and access to HiiL’s networks and expert advice. Almost halfway down its validation phase, the Garage managed to set up its online platform, adopt materials to facilitate 295 SMEGarage-registrations in its first weeks, conduct 2 legal seminars to a big audience and provide customized legal information to dozens of its clients. “All the advice, workshops and insights from the HiiL team have been incredibly valuable, and it opened new a new world of opportunities to us” said Michael, Lead Strategy and Product Development, following a week of intensive workshops with HiiL in their office.

 

DOWNLOAD

 mSME Garage Flyer

 

Published: May 21, 2016

The JLOS House Project is a three-in-one Justice, Law and Order Sector (JLOS) infrastructure development project aimed at strengthening good governance principles by enhancing the ability of JLOS institutions to coordinate and offer better services. The project is expected to contribute to enhanced transparency, accountability and ethics in a purpose built office park and civic centre. 

The JLOS House complex is intended to improve the productivity of the public service; facilitate the growth of the private sector through the provision of timely public services; reduce the costs of public administration through integration of services and sharing of common services such as ICT conference facilities and asset/ facilities management. Further, the one-stop centre will introduce modern concepts of office management and incorporate environmental concepts of green and intelligent technology in the design and construction of public buildings. The one-stop centre will free resources in rent and efficiency savings to build a functional justice system in Uganda.

 

PROJECT SCOPE

The project involves the design, procurement, construction, commissioning and maintenance of 74,000 sq. metres of rentable office space comprising of:–

The JLOS Towers and High Court which shall be located on plot 98-102 Katalima Road in Naguru on 5 acres of land owned by the Justice Law and Order Sector (JLOS) through the Uganda Land Commission. JLOS Towers and High Court will accommodate the headquarters of JLOS institutions including the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Uganda Human Rights Commission, Uganda Prison Services, URSB, TAT, ULRC, JSC, DPP, JLOS secretariat. The facility will also provide for the Criminal, Anti-Corruption, International Crimes, Civil, Family and Land Divisions of the High Court. The towers shall be green and intelligent buildings which shall serve as a one-stop service centre for JLOS Services.

The Police Headquarters to accommodate all the police directorates at plot 40-96 Katalima Road Naguru Kampala next to the JLOS house complex. The police headquarters shall be a green and intelligent building that will increase police productivity and improve quality of policing services. The Police Headquarters shall be constructed on 5.9 acres of land owned by Uganda Land Commission restricted to Uganda Police Force. The Project site is located in Kampala City 5.2 km East of the centre of Kampala City.

 

PROJECT BACKGROUND

The JLOS House project was conceived out of the need to provide a one-stop centre for JLOs institutions in recognition of the fact that the different JLOS institutions are scattered over dispersed locations in Kampala. Several of these locations are in parts of the City that are inaccessible, yet the mandates of the institutions are complementary and require close proximity for communication, cooperation and coordination. The institutions are also located in rented premises that are not designed for the provision of JLOS services and are inaccessible to the public.

It is expected that the JLOS House Project will support the efforts to integrate the services provided by the different institutions to create a conducive working environment. The project will also enhance accessibility to JLOS services by the general public, especially the poor and marginalised and enhance the inter-linkages between the services.

The huge cost of renting various premises for JLOS institutions further compounds the challenges that the Sector faces. The annual rental expense for JLOS institutional headquarters stands at USD 8.5 million. Despite this huge cost, there is still inadequate space for staff requirements and limited space for storage. There is also virtually no space to adequately handle clients. It is in light of these challenges that the Sector conceived and approved the JLOs House project in 2005.    

The overall goal of the project is to promote the rule of law through enhanced independence and public trust in JLOS institutions in line with the national vision of transforming Uganda from a peasant to a middle income status by 2040.  

The objective of the project is to provide office accommodation for the JLOS institutions as a one-stop service Centre in order to facilitate and improve service delivery and increase access to JLOS services. Specifically:

a) To provide office accommodation (JLOS Towers) and a purpose built High Court through green and intelligent buildings as a one-stop service centre to facilitate and improve service delivery and increase access to JLOS services.

b) To provide a green and intelligent building that will increase police productivity and improve quality of policing services (Police Headquarters). 

c) To provide for a purpose-built Judiciary headquarters and Appellate Courts that will promote access to judicial services

The project is expected to enhance operational efficiency, promote coordination among JLOS agencies and reduce the high cost of rent and align JLOS infrastructure to business processes while deepening public access to JLOS services.

The Justice, Law and Order Sector through the Public Private Partnership modality has identified an investor to build and operate the JLOS House project structures. Currently negotiations are ongoing between JLOS and the preferred bidder over the project scope and financing aspects. It is expected that these negotiations will be concluded in 2016.

Overall, the JLOS House project has the potential to change the way Government conducts its business and relates with the public. The project stands out to introduce modern concepts of office management, open government, environmental conservation and rationalized use of time, space and other scarce resources, which if properly implemented shall reduce the cost of public administration in the Justice, Law and Order Sector. 

 

This special report was prepared by the JLOS House Project Coordination Office at the JLOS Secretariat. 

The Hague -- Today, 4 February 2021, Trial Chamber IX of the International Criminal Court ("ICC" or "Court") found Dominic Ongwen guilty for a total of 61 comprising crimes against humanity and war crimes, committed in Northern Uganda between 1 July 2002 and 31 December 2005. The verdict may be appealed by either party to the proceedings within 30 days after the notification of the Judgment.

ICC Trial Chamber IX, composed of Judge Bertram Schmitt, Presiding Judge, Judge Péter Kovács and Judge Raul Cano Pangalangan, analysed the evidence submitted and discussed before it at trial and found, beyond any reasonable doubt, that Mr Ongwen is guilty of the following crimes…

 

READ MORE

 

 

Published: February 4, 2021

The Hague Institute for the Innovation of Law (HiiL) in collaboration with JLOS used an innovative methodology to study the justice needs of the people in Uganda during the Covid-19 Pandemic. An online survey questionnaire was distributed twice: in April-June 2021 and October-December 2021. Confirming the results of previous research, the studies found that almost every respondent had to deal with a legal problem in the previous year.

The sample is non-representative but provides interesting and actionable insights into the demand for justice in Uganda during the pandemic. Younger, better educated, urban residents face mostly debt issues, employment problems, family problems, and disagreements with neighbours. Older, less educated, rural residents face most often land problems, domestic violence, and crimes.

The relationship between COVID-19 and the need for justice is stronger among the younger sample. The study also shows that many justice problems that were not resolved in the first wave were resolved in the second. However, it is concerning that about 30% of the issues which were ongoing in the first wave are still in a process of resolution.

Check out for more results in the first and the second eJNS report.

 

READ MORE:

Justice Needs and Satisfaction in Uganda (August 2021)

Justice Needs and Satisfaction in Uganda (March 2022)

 

Source: HiiL

 

KAMPALA - The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs has today signed a consultancy contract with M/S Symbion (U) Limited to provide consultancy services for the design, documentation review and supervision of the construction of the JLOS House project. The event held at the Ministry’s office at Baumann House on Parliament Avenue was presided over by the Solicitor General, Mr. Francis Atoke. 

Below are facts and figures from today’s contract signing ceremony:

1. Consultancy contract signed for the designdocumentation review and supervision of the construction of the JLOS House office park (located on Plot 98-102, Katalima Road - Naguru) and Uganda Police headquarters (located on Plot 40-96, Katalima Road – Naguru).

2. Contractor: M/S Symbion (U) Limited

3. The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs to take the lead in implementation of the JLOS House project on behalf of JLOS institutions.

4. Project Beneficiary institutions: Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, the Judiciary (High Court), Ministry of Internal Affairs, Uganda Registration Services Bureau, Uganda Prisons, Judicial Service Commission, Uganda Law Society, Uganda Human Rights Commission, Uganda Law Reform Commission, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Tax Appeals Tribunal, Centre for Arbitration and Dispute Resolution among others.

5. The project to provide a total of 60,040 square meters (sq.) of office space and parking for over 2,300 vehicles

6. Construction to cost approx. USD $60 million (about Shs. 213.3 billion)

7. JLOS House project to save Government of Uganda a substantial amount of operational funds in rent (currently estimated at USD $6,983,949 annually for about 20,000 square meters).

8. Over the next seven (7) years, the JLOS consumptive expenditure on office space at the current rate is projected at USD $66.5m (for 20,000 sq.) and USD $199.2m (for 60,040 sq.). This is more than the projected cost of construction of the JLOS House.

9. Tender for construction expected to be issued in the 1st quarter of FY 2021/2022 (between July and September 2021).

 

Published: June 24 2021 / For more information, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Introduction

The Human Rights and Accountability Working Group is a thematic sub-structure of the JLOS Technical Committee that is responsible for the development and oversight of sector interventions to strengthen and promote human rights and accountability programs, processes and structures.

The Working Group enables deeper consideration of human rights issues within the broad spectrum of enhancing access to justice for all, specially the vulnerable persons. This is a response to the need for more effective and better institutionalized linkages that was identified in the JLOS Mid Term Review as affecting the level of impact and implementation of JLOS programs. Therefore, the Group is a key driver in improving the promotion, protection and respect of human rights within JLOS institutions and also ensuring accountability in service delivery.

 

Establishment
The Working Group is an extension of the JLOS Technical Committee and offers in-depth consideration of JLOS interventions that is otherwise not be possible in the Technical Committee. The Working Group reports to the Technical Committee for decisions related to resource allocation and management. It is resourced by the JLOS Advisor for Human Rights and Accountability, whose mandate includes providing technical advisory support, coordinating the Group’s activities and acts as the link to the JLOS secretariat.


Mandate and Functions
The mandate of the Group is to support the Technical Committee in the implementation of the JLOS SDP and in monitoring and evaluation of JLOS interventions.


The Group has to ensure that issues concerning the Human Rights and Accountability component influence the agenda of the Technical Committee and Steering Committee, and bring to the fore emerging issues of national importance.


The Working Group handles matters relating to;
1.    Promotion and protection of human rights at individual and institutional levels;
2.    Promotion of internal and external JLOS accountability;
3.    Adoption and implementation of the Anti-corruption measures in JLOS;
4.    Promotion of accountability in Transitional Justice, and
5.    Handling emerging broader human rights and accountability thematic issues.

The Human Rights and Accountability Working Group has various functions that include;
a.    Promote observance of human rights and accountability within JLOS MDAs;
b.    Identify constraints to the achievement of the Human Rights and Accountability programs to the sector structures for redress;
c.    Monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Human Rights and Accountability Reform Programs;
d.    Prepare analysed and comprehensive progress reports on Human Rights and Accountability programs within the overall program for the Technical Committee;
e.    Recommend relevant changes to JLOS SIP III implementation activities as necessary;
f.    Respond to issues raised by the Technical Committee, Steering Committee and Leadership Committee;
g.    Benchmark the JLOS Human Rights and Accountability interventions against other successful sectors/models;
h.    Support sector publicity;
i.    Support the sector in lobbying for funds;
j.    Develop action plans and budgets for the Human Rights and Accountability component;
k.    Perform any other tasks that may be assigned by the Technical Committee. 

When implementing its functions, the Group is obliged to continually mainstream cross-cutting issues  (such as poverty, gender, conflict, HIV-AIDS , and environment) in all activities and also focus on pro-poor programming, low cost but efficient initiatives, vulnerable groups, and bear sensitivity to conflict/post conflict affected areas.

The Working Group is required to provide a work plan supported with a procurement plan to the JLOS secretariat at the end of each financial year.

Membership
In line with SDP:
1.    To the extent possible, each JLOS institution is required to nominate at least two (2) suitable representatives to the Working Group. One is be a senior technical person knowledgeable in the thematic area, and an alternate.
2.    Civil Society Organizations and private sector bodies are expected to express interest in participating in the Working Group. Once deemed relevant and admitted to the Group, a CSO is required to nominate one suitable representative to the Working Group.


The selected representatives/members are expected to:
1.    Attend meetings regularly and participate in the activities of the Working Group;
2.    Provide feedback and report on  implementation of programs;
3.    Provide their respective institutions with reports and updates on the work of the Working Group.

Membership of the Working Group shall be drawn from the 17 JLOS institutions and non-State actors. The Working Group may also co-opt persons from other institutions if the matter under discussion so requires. The current membership of the working group is as follows;


JLOS Institutions
1.    Uganda Law Society (ULS)
2.    Judiciary
3.    National Community Service Program (NCSP)
4.    Non-Government Organisations’ Board (NGO Board)
5.    Amnesty Commission (MIA-AC)
6.    Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP)
7.    Uganda Prisons Service (UPS)
8.    Judicial Service Commission (JSC)
9.    Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MoGLSD)
10.    Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC)
11.    Law Development Centre (LDC)
12.    Ministry of Justice & Constitutional Affairs (MoJCA)
13.    Uganda Law Reform Commission (ULRC)
14.    Uganda Police Force (UPF)
15.    Department of Citizenry and Immigration Control (DCIC)
16.    Uganda Law Council (ULC)
17.    Centre for Arbitration and Dispute Resolution (CADER)
18.    Tax Appeals Tribunal (TAT)
19.    Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB)
20.    Ministry of Local Government (Local Council Courts)


Non-State Institutions
1.    Independent Development Fund (IDF)
2.    National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU)
3.    JLOS Development Partners Group Focal persons (JLOS DPG)
4.    Human Rights Network (HURINET)
5.    Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI)
6.    Anti-Corruption Coalition of Uganda (ACCU)


Leadership
The leadership of the Working Group is determined by both the Technical Committee and Group membership.


Chairperson
The Chairperson of the Human Rights and Accountability Working Group is selected by the Technical Committee from its membership, while the Alternate Chairperson of the Working Group is determined annually by members from among the membership of the Working Group.


The Chairperson has the following functions:
a)    Chairs Working Group meetings;
b)    Communicate key issues and suggestions made by the Working Group to stakeholders;
c)    Manages timely progress of meetings and tasks assigned to members;
d)    Provides strategic direction for the Working Group;
e)    Presents reports to the Technical Committee on behalf of the Working Group.

Secretary
The Advisor- Human Rights and Accountability is the Secretary to the Working Group. The Secretary is responsible for timely documentation of the submissions, minutes and any documentation for the Working Group and the contact person for the same.
Meetings of the Working Group


The Group endeavors to meet on a monthly basis.  The Chairperson determines the date and venue for the meetings of the Working Group. The Secretary is responsible for invitations to the meetings of the Working Group.  Unless otherwise agreed, notice of each meeting informing members of the venue, time, date and agenda is sent to the members of the Working Group a week in advance.


Quorum
A quorum is dully constituted by a simple representative majority. A duly convened meeting of the Working Group, at which quorum is attained, is competent to exercise all or any of the powers and authority vested in or exercised by the Working Group.


The Human Rights and Accountability Group is one of the five Working Groups that the Technical Committee operates through, with a focus of deepening JLOS interventions especially regarding promoting the observance of human rights and accountability within the Sector. The concerted efforts of the JLOS Working Groups should substantially contribute towards the promotion of the rule of law in Uganda.