UNFPA commends Uganda for leading region in SGBV reduction

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The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Programme coordinator, Laura Criado, has hailed Uganda for being a role model in the region in the fight against Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV).

“We are funding 135 countries in the fight against SGBV but Uganda is a role model in the region,” Laura revealed.

Addressing the SGBV Post Phase 6 Session Review meeting at Mestil Hotel at Nsambya on Monday June 24, 2024, Laura observed the need to fast track the disposal of SGBV cases and continue looking for sustainable solutions for the cases even if it's through the traditional justice system.

She decried the lack of witness protection which is still affecting the dispensation of justice in the SGBV cases, and inadequate prioritization of SGBV cases.

Laura appealed to Government of Uganda to increase funding towards SGBV reduction activities.

The Principal Judge, Dr Flavian Zeija presided over the Sexual Gender Based Violence Review meeting.

The two-day meeting brings together different actors in the criminal justice system such as Uganda Police Force, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Judiciary, Uganda Prisons Services, Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, and Development Partners such as UNFPA, Australian Development Cooperation Agency, Spotlight Initiative and Sweden Sverige.

The Governance and Security Programme Senior Technical Advisor, Rachel Odoi said the Session was an opportunity to reflect on what lessons to learn and moving forward, to improve the performance and achieve their targets which is case backlog reduction and improving quality of justice being delivered in the country.

Odoi said this would reduce the SGBV crimes and also to reduce pressure on the justice system. She said in the previous Session, 12 districts were covered and 80 percent case disposal rate was recorded and documented.

She said they should be able to conclude cases within the budgeted time such that sessions once they begin, they move on smoothly.

The Senior Technical Advisor noted a reduction of conviction rates from 74 per cent to 64 per cent and wondered what happened since the conviction rate was once at 80 per cent.

Whereas she observed that justice is not about conviction, she said a high-rate conviction means that investigations were done well. 

Odoi explained that during the meeting, they would be able to understand the reasons behind the reduction in the conviction rate.

She emphasized the need for continued coordination among the Justice actors.

The Judicial Training Institute Executive Director, Lady Justice Damalie N Lwanga appreciated the Principal Judge for leading the SGBV Programme which has had six sessions.

Justice Lwanga is optimistic that the meeting would help them prepare for the seventh session, adding that 12 sessions were successfully conducted in the previous session under review. 

Dr Katja Kerschbaumer, the head of the Austrian Development Cooperation Office commended UNFPA and the Judiciary for their commitment to continue fighting SGBV cases saying their efforts have been significant.

She said she was proud that a team of justice actors went to Austria and presented the JLOS approach to SGBV cases on an international level which was commendable.

Dr Katja noted that more than 2000 cases of SGBV have been concluded since 2018 and their ultimate Goal as the Austrian Development Cooperation is to facilitate the disposal of these cases because Uganda has been their priority country.

She added that they will continue working with the Government to continue ensuring justice for all and gender equity.

Canon Sam Wairagala, the Deputy Senior Technical Advisor Governance and Security Programme, commended ADC for being the longest serving partner of Justice, Law and Order institutions.