Legal experts launch call centre to fight corruption

JUSTICE    

KAMPALA - A network of Lawyers under their umbrella - Legal Aids Service Providers Network (LASPNET) has established a call centre to provide legal advice to the public. The move is intended to fight corruption in the country.

The LASPNET call centre, an innovative facility will provide fast legal Aid to those who need it at no cost.

"We have put up this facility and it is going to be a fast responder mechanism to those who need information, advice, counselling, and referrals for issues related to justice or access to justice," Sylvia Namubiru, the Executive Director(ED) LASPNET said.

The call centre which coordinates over 55 members across 80 districts was launched at the LASPNET Secretariat offices in Mengo on Thursday.

 
Namubiru said the need to establish the call centre arose because of the daily need for legal services by Ugandans who cannot afford private practitioners, with the statistics showing that currently, one lawyer is meant to serve up to 20,000 Ugandans.

Namubiru stated that over a period of time, they realized that they were not in position to offer legal services to all the people who would come to their facility for help, stating that over 80% of Ugandans do not have access to a lawyer.

James Kusemererwa, the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Director Human Rights' desk commended the lawyers on their fight towards availing justice and legal advice to the poor.

He explained that a lot of people run to police with civil issues expecting a solution from them. With the establishment of the call centre, their work as police has been made easier.

"This launch has really come in handy as far as my work is concerned. We can clearly advise our clients and reduce the volume of people coming in because they can get feedback without necessarily coming to our offices," said Kusemererwa.

 The call centre will have volunteers from various law institutions including Probono and student lawyers every weekday from 8 am to 5:30 am.

Namubiru encouraged people to popularize the toll-free number among the general public which is 0800100155.