We need by-laws on domestic violence

Sep 05, 2007

KAWEMPE Division of Kampala is in the process of passing a by-law on domestic violence. Local Councils are empowered through the Local Government Act to make such laws. If all goes well, this law will be passed tomorrow by the division council.

EDITOR’S COMMENT

KAWEMPE Division of Kampala is in the process of passing a by-law on domestic violence. Local Councils are empowered through the Local Government Act to make such laws. If all goes well, this law will be passed tomorrow by the division council.

This is a timely innovation by the division because at the moment, the country does not have a clear and specific law on issues of domestic violence and yet, according to police and local leaders records, cases of domestic violence are the most reported annually in the country. When these cases come up, they are cared for through the Constitutional provisions.

The matter is made worse because the Domestic Relations Bill, which was supposed to address these issues specifically, was shelved. When a man assaults his wife or vice-versa, they will be charged for causing grievous harm or bodily injury. If the victim is killed from the attacks, it will be a murder case, without any reference to domestic violence.

This is why in the absence of all these laws, the by-law being passed by Kawempe has to be lauded. It should not stop in Kawempe. Local leaders throughout the country should follow the same line –– draft a by-law on domestic violence and pass it now.

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