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Written by Marion Mpanga
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Wednesday, 22 May 2013 |
The Sector has developed a draft national policy on transitional justice which is an affirmation of Government of Uganda’s (GoU) commitment to national reconciliation, peace and justice. It reflects the core objectives of the Government of Uganda of ending impunity and promoting justice and reconciliation as a necessary precursor to sustainable development. As part of its transitional justice initiatives, the Justice, Law and Order Sector has produced a documentary film that highlights community feedback and views on the transitional justice process in Uganda exploring themes such as amnesty, reparations, prosecutions/investigations, traditional justice mechanisms etc. This film premiered on May 21 2013 during the consensus building workshop to discuss the draft national transitional justice policy held at Imperial Royale Hotel, Kampala UG. WATCH THIS VIDEO NOW You can also watch the film by visiting this link on the official JLOS YouTube Page |
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Written by Marion Mpanga
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Tuesday, 21 May 2013 |
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The United Nations refugee agency and the Government of Uganda have launched a pilot mobile court scheme to improve access to justice and legal assistance for victims of crime in Nakivale, the country’s oldest and largest refugee settlement. The project launched that was launched on 15th April, 2013, aims to benefit some 68,000 refugees and 35,000 Ugandan nationals in Nakivale, which is about 50 kilometers from the nearest law court in Kabingo, Isingiro. The courts will hold three sessions a year, each lasting between 15 and 30 days and hearing up to 30 cases per session. Half the cases heard will be those of nationals, who live within the settlement.
The Nakivale pilot project is collaboration between UNHCR, the Refugee Law Project, the Uganda Human Rights Council and Ugandan government. Lawyers volunteer their time and services so that the entire process can be provided free of charge to both refugees and nationals.
UNHCR hopes to extend the project to other refugee settlements in Uganda so that more refugees can benefit from speedier justice. |
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Written by Marion Mpanga
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Monday, 06 May 2013 |
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It is against this background that the Justice, Law and Order Sector with support from the DANIDA - Judiciary programme has embarked on a project to review the rules of procedure of the Disciplinary Committee of the Law Council. The support arises out of a specific request from the Law Council to review the Rules of Procedure as one of the ways of dealing with chronic delays in disposal of complaints against lawyers. The Disciplinary Committee of the Law Council is mandated to exercise disciplinary control over advocates and their clerks in accordance with the Advocates (Disciplinary Committee) (Procedure) Regulations S.I 267-6. As a result of the many changes that have occurred over time, it has been realized that the current rules of procedure are not efficient in so far as the trial process is concerned. In this regard, M/S Legislative Drafting and Research Consultants has been contracted to review the rules of procedure. The scope of the consultancy is; 1. To study the Advocates Act [Cap. 267] as amended by the Advocates (Amendment) Act No. 27 of 2002; 2. To study the Advocates (Disciplinary Committee) (Procedure) Regulations S.I 267-6 and suggest areas which require amendment, in light of the changes brought about by the Advocates (Amendment) Act No. 27 of 2002; 3. To carry out comparative studies with other Common Law jurisdictions, and incorporate the best practices in the revised rules of procedure; 4. To carry out wide consultations with relevant stakeholders, to gather their views on the law and need for amendment; 5. To explore and recommend the adoption of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms before the Disciplinary Committee; 6. To evaluate the adjudication machinery of the Law Council including admissibility of disputes, coram and use of other centers for dispute resolution, and in that regard recommend corrective actions where possible; 7. To recommend simplified and expedient trial mechanism and suggest areas which should be regulated; 8. To prepare and present a Preliminary Report to the Law Council for consideration. The Justice Law and Order Sector is grateful to the Kingdom of Denmark for the timely intervention which will support other justice reforms being implemented under the Third Strategic Investment Plan (SIP III) Source: JLOS Website |
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Written by Marion Mpanga
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Monday, 06 May 2013 |
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His Execellence the President of Uganda Yoweri Museveni named 28 new judges to fill vacant positions in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and High Court.The appointments are subject to parliamentary approval. The names are as follows:- Supreme Court 1. Hon. Justice Amos Twinomujuni 2. Hon. Lady Justice Arach Amoko Court of Appeal 1. Hon. Justice Egonda Ntende 2. Hon. Lady Justice Solomy Bbosa 3. Hon. Justice Geoffrey Kiryabwire. 4. Hon. Justice Opio Aweri 5. Hon. Justice Faith Mwondha 6. Hon. Justice Eldard Mwangusya 7. Director of Public Prosecution Mr. Richard Butera 8. Prof. Lillian Tibatemwa Makerere University Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of academics 9. Mr. Kenneth Kakuru High Court 1. The deputy DPP, Damalie Nantudde Lwanga, 2. His Worship, the Ag. Chief Registrar Henry Peter Adonyo 3. Her Worship Margaret Tibulya 4. Her Worship Elizabeth Jane Alividza 5. His Worship Godfrey Namundi 6. Her Worship Henrietta Wolayo 7. His Worship John Eudes Keitirima 8. His Worship David Batema 9. Her Worship Elizabeth Kibula Kabanda 10. Mr. Kaweesa Isabirye 11. Ms. Lydia Mugambe 12. Mr. Duncan Gaswaga 13. Mr. Vincent Okwanga 14. Mr. Alexandra Rugadya Nkonge 15. Dr. Winfred Nabisinde 16. Ms. Eva Luswata Kawuma 17. Mr. Michael Elubu. |
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Written by Marion Mpanga
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Tuesday, 30 April 2013 |
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The visitors were accompanied by Alphon Hennekens the Netherlands Ambassador to Uganda, Ms. Marielle Geraedts, the Deputy Head of Mission at the Netherlands Embassy in Uganda and Ms. Judith Maas the Co-Chair of the JLOS Development Partners Group . Mr. Rebergen, was in the country to familiarize himself with the operations of the Justice Law and Order Sector (JLOS) and explore means of promoting relations and trade between Uganda and the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Mr. Rebergen visited the Government Prison at Kigo where the Officer in Charge of the Prison, led him around the Prison Complex. He interacted with the inmates and appreciated the relaxed conditions under which the inmates related with the Prison’s staff. He also witnessed inmates teaching other inmates under the prison’s education programme and other inmates using a modern computer lab for training in ICT and communication. In a one to one interaction with the inmates, a female inmate told him that female inmates had challenges in linking up with their children and families. Other inmates complained about overstaying on remand , poor transport facilities to courts of law and the difficulty of accessing the justice system. Mr. Rebergen also met the members of Entebbe District Chain Linked Committee (DCC) . Her Worship Joyce Kavuma, the Chairperson of the DCC explained to the excited visitors, the role of the DCC in the administration of justice and how they were using communication, coordination and cooperation to remove impediments in the administration of justice. Mr. Koper, who had been instrumental in setting up JLOS in 1999, from the chain linked programme, was happy to learn that the sector had grown from the humble beginning of the chain linked in Masaka to a vibrant sector of seventeen institutions. At the end of the tour, Mr. Rebergen expressed satisfaction with the performance of JLOS observing that the sector wide approach offered valid lessons for the Kingdom of Netherlands in running a coordinated government and pledged his country’s continued support to Uganda. |
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