UPDF boss wants a strong military justice system to combat sexual violence crimes

By Francis Emorut

The Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, has called for a strong military justice system to combat rampant cases of sexual violence within the Great Lakes region.

"The appalling crimes of sexual violence during conflict, which may amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity or acts of genocide should never go unpunished," Katumba said.

The UPDF chief informed military officers attending the training on sexual violence at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala that the UPDF adheres to international human rights and humanitarian law standards in its operation both at home and abroad.

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The Chief of Defence Forces, Katumba Wamala (left) with Nathan Byamukama the acting director of Regional Training Facility International Conference Great Lakes region and a delegate from Central African Republic 

"I encourage you to sustain a strong regional network by sharing information and supporting regional training facility in tackling sexual violence. Also supporting national armies to build strong justice systems to effectively prevent, investigate, analyse and prosecute such crimes and protect victims," Katumba stated.

He told the participants that it is in that spirit the Uganda army takes allegations of sexual violence against its rank and file seriously.

Katumba was speaking at the closure of training workshop on tackling sexual violence for military officers working in the justice system in the Great Lakes Region.

The training was conducted by UN Team of Experts on sexual violence and organized by International Conference on Great Lakes Region (ICGLR).

It drew participants from Central Republic of Africa (CRA), Uganda, Sudan, UN, South Sudan and Somalia.

He said the UPDF has a well-established hierarchy of courts at all levels that are intended to curb all sorts of indiscipline amongst its officers and men including allegations and acts of sexual violence.

"Therefore, such allegations are always investigated and the culprits charged and punished by UPDF Courts Martial and Disciplinary Committees and as by law established," he said.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) defines sexual violence as all forms of violence of sexual nature, such as rape, attempted rape, sexual slavery, enforced prostitution, sexual assault and sexual threat.

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The UN Team of Experts on sexual violence, Alison Hayes addressing military officers


​The acting director of Regional Training Facility (RTF), Nathan Mwesigye Byamukama stressed the need to devise a mechanism to reduce sexual violence cases and intensify in prosecuting perpetrators of such acts.

Kamanda Bataringaya, the state minister of labour, employment and industrial relations, noted that sexual violence is not just rape, but it is violence and pain.

"It is torture. It is a war crime, and it is genocide and a crime against humanity that must be rejected," Kamanda said.

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