Gulu- Civil Society Organisations in Acholi sub-region have accused Gulu High Court officials of letting suspects of gender-based violence (GBV) off the hook by dismissing cases brought against them on technicalities.
Speaking at the GBV taskforce quarterly meeting in Gulu Town recently, the Action Aid project coordinator in Uganda, Ms Jennifer Ayot, said the court takes its time to hear such cases and the end result is that witnesses lose interest and cases are dismissed.
“Survivors of GBV have not received justice, since the culprits are not punished,” Ms Ayot said.
Gulu District GBV focal officer, Ms Christine Akumu, said in instances where witnesses stay in distant places, they fail to turn up for court hearings as many lack transport.
Gulu Resident senior state attorney Patrick Omia, acknowledged that some GBV-related cases have been dismissed for lack of prosecution witnesses.
“Cases have been dismissed not because there are no defence lawyers but because many complainants who report to police don’t actually reach court and it also applies to witnesses who also fail to show up in court,” Mr Omia said.
The official, however, faulted government for failing to fund transportation of witnesses who come from distant areas to attend court sessions. He said only witnesses for high profile court cases benefit from such allowances. “CSOs should write a letter to Gulu Resident High Court Judge asking her for a two month period when court will hear all pending GBV cases until they are completed,” he suggested.
CARE International programme manager social protection, Ms Rose Amulen, said plans are underway to have outreach programmes where GBV cases are rampant.
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