Speaking to journalists, Justice Abodo noted that most SGBV cases take long in the system and the kind of investigations done by police lacks focus, which makes it very difficult for the victims to get justice.
Unfocused police investigations are affecting the
dispensation of justice in Sexual and Gender-Based Violence-SGBV cases, the Director
of Public Prosecutions, Justice Jane Frances Abodo has revealed. She was
speaking to journalists on the sidelines of one-day training for members of the
Justice Law and Order Sector-JLOS at MESTIL Hotel on Tuesday.
JLOS brings together officers from Uganda prisons,
police, prosecutors, and judges. Speaking to journalists, Justice Abodo noted
that most SGBV cases take long in the system and the kind of investigations done
by police lacks focus, which makes it very difficult for the victims to get
justice.
She explained that some of the SGBV
cases that are reported ideally shouldn’t take more than a year in the court
system like the situation is at the moment. In order to address the problem, Abodo advised investigators
to collect exhibits expeditiously and submit them to the Government Analytical
Laboratory immediately.
//Cue in; “How do you…
Cue out ...Doctor, to do?’’//
She also noted that health workers need to document the physical appearance of the victims especially those of
rape and defilement immediately so as to get sufficient proof to secure a conviction.
Although Police has always attributed the unfocused investigations to a shortage
of resources, Abodo says there is a need for all those involved to pay special
attention on the cases from the start.
//Cue in; “The SGBV Cases….
Cue out…is that challenge.”//
The Principal Judge, Dr Flavian Zeija scoffed
at Judicial Officers, on the quality of decisions, they make while dealing with SGBV
cases. He noted that Judges don’t pay much attention to the cases since
they are often given less than two months to
conclude about 50 SGBV cases.
Dr Zeija noted that in cases of adjournment,
some judges prefer to dismiss the cases without even listening to the issues
warranting the prayers for an adjournment. He cited a report where one judge is said to
have completed 40 cases, but his final report showed that he had dismissed 25
cases when prosecutors asked for more time to bring witnesses.
The training was aimed at enhancing the officer’s
skills and knowledge to manage criminal sessions and prosecute SGBV cases.
It was also meant to help skill the officers in the adjudication and sentencing
of SGBV cases, management of scientific evidence, proper case management and
coordination. The training came ahead of the Special session, where 700 SGBV
cases will be heard in 14 selected districts across the country.
Each Judicial Officer is expected to handle 50
cases within 45 days. The special session is scheduled to kick off on September
1, 2020 in various High Courts and Chief Magistrate’s courts in districts in Gulu,
Arua, Masindi, Fort Portal, Jinja, Mbale, Iganga, Luwero, Soroti, Mubende,
Apac, Moroto and Tororo. The 2019 Police Report shows that 13,613
defilement and 1,528 rape cases were reported.
These figures, however, don’t include
other categories of SGBV cases.
