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KAMPALA -- The Hon. Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu held a meeting with H.E Dr. Karin Boven, Ambassador of the Royal Kingdom of the Netherlands to Uganda on the 16^th of March 2021, who called on him at the Ministry’s Headquarters on Parliament Avenue. The meeting that was also attended by Mr. Francis Atoke, the Solicitor General and officials from the Justice Law and Order Sector (JLOS) Secretariat, was a courtesy call by the ambassador as she starts her tenure as chairperson of the Justice Law and Order Sector (JLOS) Development Partners Group (DPG).  

Prof. Kamuntu and H.E Dr. Boven, discussed matters of great importance to the nation, and to JLOS in particular. The issues discussed ranged from upholding the rule of law, respect for human rights, as well as strengthening of the commercial, transitional and criminal justice delivery mechanisms, notably the need to tackle the case backlog challenge in the courts of law, emphasising the fact that justice delayed is justice denied.

H.E Dr. Boven applauded the Sector for taking the lead in developing game-changing innovations in access to justice but also shared her concerns relating to the image of the Sector in the wake of pre-election violence that was witnessed in November 2020. She further expressed concerns on the delay by the Government to release the report on the investigations into the alleged human rights violations that were committed during that period. 

The Hon. Minister assured Dr. Boven of the Government's commitment to publish the report as soon as investigations are complete and that those culpable in human rights abuses would be dealt with under the law. He emphasised Government's commitment to ensuring peace, security and stability and pointed out the history of the NRM government is rooted in adhering to the rule of law and respect for human rights.

Mr. Francis Atoke, the Solicitor General on his part thanked the Royal Kingdom of Netherlands for the consistent support to the Justice, Law and Order Sector since its inception in 1999. He said that this support has been instrumental in enhancing access to justice for all Ugandans and has contributed to the significant improvement in commercial justice and ease of doing business in the country.

Ms. Rachel Odoi-Musoke, the JLOS Senior Technical Advisor thanked the Dutch Embassy in Kampala for taking a lead in addressing access to justice needs and challenges of refugees and their host communities in Uganda. This specific focus on the unique justice needs of refugees has made registration, identification and documentation easy and also improved relationships with host communities. 

H.E Dr. Karin Boven takes over the Chair of the JLOS Development Partners Group following its recent handover by Dr. Roswitha Kremser, Head of the Austrian Delegation to Uganda.

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Published: 16th March 2021