KAMPALA-The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) yesterday 12th December 2023 participated in the celebration of 16 days of activism in Jinja under the theme: Investing to Prevent Gender and Sexual Violence Against Women and Girls.
Deputy DPP James Odumbi addressing the gathering.
The occasion was held to celebrate, create awareness and pronounce that all criminal justice stakeholders along with civil society, cultural institutions and religious organisations are one in the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
The deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Odumbi James Owere who was the chief guest applauded the ODPP, Judiciary, Police and Prisons Service for their role in combating GBV. Members of the community were encouraged to adopt the culture of reporting cases of violence promptly to the Police for investigation and subsequent prosecution.
The Senior Resident Judge of Jinja, Lady Justice Dr. Winfred Nabisinde noted that 70% of cases fixed for session hearings are GBV cases. She implored the Police to be empathetic to victims of GBV. She cautioned communities against hiding incidents of violence.
Ms. Beatrice Mulindwa the Program Specialist in Ending Violence Against Women, UN Women remarked that when deterrent sentences are meted out against perpetrators of GBV, it sends a signal to other would-be culprits deterring them from engaging in committing similar crimes.
Some of the participants during the procession.
The Regional Police Commander Kira Region SSP Rogers Sseguya underscored the importance of the Woman in society hence the need to ensure their security.
Madam Samali Wakooli the Assistant DPP/Head of the Gender, Children and Sexual Offences Department in the ODPP said, “The church should not encourage settling GBV matters because when GBV perpetrators are prosecuted, convicted and punished, impunity is checked.”
Victims/Survivors of GBV shared personal experiences and expressed gratitude towards the ODPP and partners for the sensitization against GBV.
The occasion was attended by the Jinja Deputy Resident City Commissioner, Lord Mayor, ODPP, Uganda Police Force, Uganda Prisons Service, UPDF, Uganda Law Society, Human Trafficking Institute, Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Kingdom of Busoga, Religious Leaders, and Local Council leaders,among others.
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