The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) on 12th December 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.
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, 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.
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.
