Kalangala– The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), on Tuesday 28th April 2026, in partnership with the International Development Law Organization and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, convened a community Baraza at Kibanga Playground in Kalangala District under the theme “Tackling Gender-Based Violence, Land Crimes, and Refugee Protection.”
The engagement was a shared commitment of justice sector actors to strengthening the rule of law and improving access to justice in vulnerable communities.
Addressing participants, leaders and justice sector actors of Kalangala highlighted the unique geographical and social challenges affecting justice delivery in Kalangala, including the district’s island-based terrain, increasing land disputes, rising incidents of Gender-Based Violence, refugee-related concerns, and witness attendance difficulties.
Speaking on behalf of the International Development Law Organisation (IDLO), Mr. Samson Asiimwe, Programme Manager, reiterated that IDLO’s mandate is anchored in advancing the rule of law and promoting justice. He commended the visible unity among justice actors in Kalangala and affirmed IDLO’s continued commitment to partnering with institutions dedicated to strengthening justice systems.
Representing the DPP, Mr. Odumbi James Owere emphasised that the ODPP remains a gatekeeper of justice with a duty to protect victims, uphold fairness to suspects, and safeguard the innocent from victimisation. He urged complainants and witnesses to actively participate in court processes and assured the community that the concerns raised during the Baraza would inform continued institutional engagement.
During the public dialogue, residents raised concerns regarding the sustainability of justice sector transport, investigative practices, domestic and sexual violence, land conflicts, and the legal treatment of elopement. The discussions reinforced the Baraza’s role as a vital platform for accountability, legal awareness, and strengthening collaboration between justice institutions and the public.
The Baraza ultimately demonstrated a people-centered justice delivery and the ODPP’s enduring commitment to bringing justice closer to the communities it serves.
