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Justice actors call for stronger coordination against GBV in Karamoja
Organised by the International Justice Mission, the meeting also marked the launch of the Coordination Case Response Mechanism, an initiative designed to strengthen the multi-sectoral response to GBV through existing structures.
Participants pose for a group photo during a stakeholders' meeting held at Mt. Moroto Hotel in Moroto District last week. (Courtesy)
By: Vision Reporter, Journalist @New Vision
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Justice actors in Karamoja have called for stronger coordination among institutions to ensure accountability in the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) across the sub-region.
The call was made during a stakeholders' meeting held at Mt. Moroto Hotel in Moroto District last week. The meeting brought together magistrates, police officers, probation officers, state attorneys, community development officers, local government leaders, civil society organisations, and traditional leaders.
Organised by the International Justice Mission, the meeting also marked the launch of the Coordination Case Response Mechanism, an initiative designed to strengthen the multi-sectoral response to GBV through existing structures.
The initiative will operate through District Coordination Committees, District Action Centres, and GBV Working Groups.
These structures bring together officials from key justice agencies to review cases, improve coordination, strengthen survivor-centered responses, and build public confidence in the justice system.
Speaking at the meeting, the State Attorney for Moroto, Judith Ayikoru, said many communities in Karamoja continue to shield perpetrators of defilement and domestic violence, making it difficult for survivors to access justice.
"We have communities that continue to normalise these forms of violence and, in some cases, actively protect perpetrators, which undermines efforts to hold offenders accountable," Ayikoru said.
She revealed that the Moroto High Court is currently handling 51 GBV cases, a significant number of which stem from intimate partner violence and violence against children.
These structures bring together officials from key justice agencies to review cases, improve coordination, strengthen survivor-centered responses, and build public confidence in the justice system.
Speaking at the meeting, the State Attorney for Moroto, Judith Ayikoru, said many communities in Karamoja continue to shield perpetrators of defilement and domestic violence, making it difficult for survivors to access justice.
"We have communities that continue to normalise these forms of violence and, in some cases, actively protect perpetrators, which undermines efforts to hold offenders accountable," Ayikoru said.
She revealed that the Moroto High Court is currently handling 51 GBV cases, a significant number of which stem from intimate partner violence and violence against children.
Moroto District Community Development Officer Maggie Lorem noted that while local governments have sought to address GBV through ordinances and by-laws, progress has been hindered by limited resources and lengthy bureaucratic processes.
She expressed concern that many cases of defilement collapse because families opt for informal settlements instead of pursuing justice through formal legal channels.
The Criminal Investigations Directorate officer for Amudat District, Dominic Manyi, highlighted persistent barriers to justice, including long distances to courts, financial hardship, and the absence of effective witness protection mechanisms.
According to Manyi, these challenges often discourage survivors and witnesses from participating in legal proceedings, giving room to some perpetrators to evade accountability.
Susan Ajok, the Programme Partnerships Specialist at IJM, committed support to ensure that stakeholders jointly review cases, identify gaps in service delivery, and develop interventions needed to ensure timely access to justice.
She expressed concern that many cases of defilement collapse because families opt for informal settlements instead of pursuing justice through formal legal channels.
The Criminal Investigations Directorate officer for Amudat District, Dominic Manyi, highlighted persistent barriers to justice, including long distances to courts, financial hardship, and the absence of effective witness protection mechanisms.
According to Manyi, these challenges often discourage survivors and witnesses from participating in legal proceedings, giving room to some perpetrators to evade accountability.
Susan Ajok, the Programme Partnerships Specialist at IJM, committed support to ensure that stakeholders jointly review cases, identify gaps in service delivery, and develop interventions needed to ensure timely access to justice.