Office of the DPP Hosts Community Baraza in Tororo Municipality
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), in partnership with the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), held a community baraza at the Tororo Municipality Grounds. The event brought together key justice actors including police officers, magistrates, probation officers, the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), and the LCV leadership.
Harriet Angom, the Bukedi Regional State Attorney, commended the collaborative efforts, emphasizing that "it is no longer business as usual." She highlighted the importance of transparency, accountability, and public participation in justice delivery.
SSP Kapchemut Ayatola, Regional Police Commander for Bukedi South, advocated for people-centered justice. He emphasized the need for sub-county-level policing to reduce the burden of long-distance travel for justice services.
Joy Akoli, IDLO Coordinator, noted that Uganda joined the intergovernmental organization in 2019. She urged citizens to uphold the rule of law and maintain trust in justice institutions.
The administration of justice, speakers noted, is a chain that extends beyond the DPP’s office. It includes addressing gender-based violence (GBV), refugee protection, land disputes, and economic injustices.
John Okeya raised concerns over rising domestic violence. He called on men to take responsibility for providing for their families and to avoid demanding accountability from women over household resources while neglecting their own duties. He also urged cultural leaders to intensify sensitization efforts.
Okeya also cautioned children against disrespecting their parents and called for cultural reforms to address corruption within families. He shared an incident where children in his village confronted their parents for returning home late.
Refugee management was described as delicate, with delays attributed to the Office of the Prime Minister.
Land disputes remain rampant. A recent incident in Mwello saw a church attacked over land issues. Citizens were urged to survey and document their land to prevent conflicts.
Amula Albert the deputy residents district commissioner praised the DPP’s handling of land cases and called on political leaders to sensitize communities about the dangers of land grabbing. He also urged men to engage in productive work rather than relying on their partners’ income and spending time in bars.
The baraza called for the expansion of such forums to other sub-counties, especially rural areas where informal "bush laws" often prevail.
A request was made to the Deputy DPP to address staffing gaps and ensure Grade One courts are fully operational in all sub-counties.
Concerns were raised about misuse of Parish Development Model (PDM) funds and other socio-economic crimes. Participants called for sanctions and enhanced collaboration through retooling programs.
Hellen Edimu, Registrar, tororo high court commended IDLO for supporting court expansion. She emphasized that land issues are complex and require coordinated efforts across political and judicial sectors.
The forum encouraged the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms, especially for criminal cases, and promoted plea bargaining to ease case backlogs.
William Byansi, Deputy Director for Inspection, Quality Research, and Training, acknowledged ongoing recruitment efforts and noted existing staffing gaps. He emphasized the need to deploy police prosecutors where they are most needed.
The baraza was lauded as a rare but impactful initiative, with participants commending IDLO for its support in strengthening access to justice.
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