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The United Nations office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) says it is committed to preventing crimes in Uganda.

UNODC head Sharon Lesa Nyambe while addressing the public at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala on Monday, April 15, 2024, said her office has a unique mission of preventing crimes. She made the remarks during the National Court Open Day organised by the Judiciary.

The occasion was marked under the theme: A People Centred Approach to Justice.

Members of the Judiciary headed by Principal Judge Dr Flavian Zeija arrived at Kololo in a procession from the High Court in Kampala, the headquarters of the Judiciary.

Entities involved in the justice chain in the country such as the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), Police, Prisons, Judicial Service Commission, Uganda Law Reform Commission among others and several non-government organisations (NGO) involved in justice were showing case on what they do in regard to access to justice.

“The United Nations office on Drugs and Crimes has the unique mission of making the world safer from crime, drugs, and terrorism. To tackle these threats, we are focusing on developing strategies for crime prevention and reforming the criminal justice system,” Nyambe said.

According to Nyambe, UNODC is acting as the custodian of the United Nations standard and norms in crime prevention and criminal justice, which promote human rights adding that UNODC is assisting member states including Uganda in reforming their criminal justice system.

Sharon Lesa Nyambe at Kololo Independence Grounds during the National Court Open Day ceremony, April 15, 2024. (Photo by Eddie Ssejjoba)

“On behalf of the UNODC Office in Uganda, we are proud to partner with criminal justice institutions in the country including the Judiciary, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Uganda Police Force, and Uganda Prisons Service in promoting criminal justice reform,” Nyambe said.

She added that UNODC operates in Uganda under the Strengthening Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Uganda programme, which being funded by the Embassy of the Government of the Netherlands.

"We are providing technical assistance and training to these institutions through capacity building, mentorship, and advisory assistance. Our partnership with the Judiciary is contributing to opening court processes for inclusive citizen engagement and participation, including activities such as court open days and Judiciary public awareness campaigns,” Nyambe said.