Lack of skills hampering sexual violence investigations-Police

 

 

KAMPALA - Gaps in gathering evidence is hampering investigation of sexual and gender based violence hence affecting delivery of justice to victims, Dr. John Kamya, the commissioner, Human Resource Development in Uganda Police has revealed.

 

"The challenge is shortage of scientific tools and expertise to analyse but also, collect evidence in sexual and gender based violence cases. Many Police offices in up country and even in some parts of the city don't have the skills to collect evidence," said Kamya.

 

He said this during the training of medical personale, prosecutors, Police officers and probation officers among others on management of sexual gender based violence cases at Unik Hotel in Kyaliwajala, in Wakiso district.

 

Kamya noted that the challenge however, is being addressed by continuous training and sensitisation of Police officers.

 

He said some women/girls protect the perpetrators once they are apprehended and this has also hindered justice delivery.

 

"Someone comes and reports that ‘my husband beats me but I don't want it to be known' when you insist and arrest the husband, then the woman comes the next day and pleads for the release of the husband," he explained.

 

Nathan Mwesigye Byamukama, the acting executive director for International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) Training Facility said women and children have suffered most in the sexual and gender based violence.

 

He said the ultimate goal for every stakeholder in its fight is to either eradicate or suppress it.

 

"Fundamentally, we need to prevent it. We know for example, there are some countries in the world where crime rates have reduced and some such as Netherlands are closing some prisons," said Mwesigye, adding the training should be able to effectively help the officers in effectively fighting and punishing the perpetuators.

 

He added; "In Netherland, you find that crime rate stands at 0.001% crime rate but here in Uganda when you go to prison, you will find that about 65% of the cases are sexual violence rated ones."

 

According to information from ICGLR   and Action Aid Uganda, only two out of 10 women report violence or seek help over the issue and even when cases are reported, conviction rates for perpetrators stand at only 6.6% of the prosecuted cases.

 

Henry Nixon Ogwal the Director Fundraising at Action Aid Uganda, said out of about 20,000 gender violence cases reported in the last six years, 10% has been sexual related violence ones.

 

"Sexual violence is used as a way of taming women who hold high positions and this makes them lose professionally and lack self-esteem. They sometimes get isolated and this makes it difficult to deliver justice," he stated.

 

Ogwal is optimistic that once prevention is embraced by leaders including local councils and clan leaders, then sexual gender based violence can be completely eliminated.

 

"We have found out that about 80% of gender-based violence have been resolved outside court with involvement of local leaders and that alternative source of justice is very key in addressing these cases." he explained.