Today, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) hosted a high-level meeting on rights-based approach to end HIV, AIDS, TB, and Malaria within the Criminal Justice System at Hotel Africana. The meeting brought together participants from the Judiciary, Uganda Prisons Service, Uganda Police Force, Governance and Security Programme (Access to Justice Sub-programme), Uganda Aids Commission, UNAIDS, Uganda Human Rights Commission, Uganda Law Reform Commission and Civil Society Organizations.

In her remarks, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Justice Jane Frances ABODO noted that, “Since the Global Fund Project on ending HIV, AIDS, TB, and Malaria within the Criminal Justice System commenced in 2021, we have sensitized a total of 360 officers from different branches of the Criminal Justice System, including Judicial Officers, Prosecutors, Police Officers, Prisons Officers, as well as Local Council 1 Members and Probation Officers. This sensitization aimed to remove barriers to accessing services related to HIV, AIDS, TB, and Malaria within our Criminal Justice System.’ She further noted that the ODPP in collaboration with the Uganda Police Force, Judiciary and Uganda Prisons Service has formulated user policies to enhance the management of HIV, AIDS, TB, and Malaria and to provide clear guidelines and procedures for addressing health-related issues within the Criminal Justice institutions.

She underscored that there are currently 16 pioneer consent-screening stations for health services within the Kampala Metropolitan area. She emphasized that, “By implementing this screening process, we ensure that individuals within these stations receive vital health screenings, enabling early detection and timely treatment of diseases, thus protecting all in the Criminal Justice System from the entry point – Uganda Police Force.”

On the other hand, Ms. Ayebare Proscovia, the Project Coordinator stated that there is a dire need to continue protecting and promoting rights and health of suspects and victims within the Criminal Justice System.

The panelists were Hon. Justice Mutonyi Margaret – Judge of the High Court, Mr. Elem Ogwal Charles – Former Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions and Mr. Mukiibi Paul – Head, Department of Law Reporting, Research and Law Reform at the Law Development Centre. They stressed the need to undertake screening of suspects right at police stations and in prisons. For cases of aggravated defilement, it was noted that it is critical to ascertain if the suspects were aware that they were HIV+ at the time of commission of the crime. They also emphasized the need for disclosure of the medical status of the accused persons as a means to mitigate the spread of the diseases.

The meeting was closed by Justice Vincent Wagona – Judge of the High Court who stated that, “The DPP prosecutes cases in public interest and in the interest of the administration of criminal justice, and this includes the interests of accused persons and victims to ensure that HIV, AIDS, TB and Malaria are addressed.” He further stated that all the other stakeholders in the criminal justice system are critical in achieving this end.

The meeting was held under the auspices of the Global Fund.

Jacquelyn Okui

Public Relations Officer

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