Remarks at National Symposium on Uganda Transitional Justice Policy

Acknowledgement

• Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda
• Hon. Nobert Mao, Minister Ministry of Justice, and Constitutional Affairs
• Honourable Ministers present
• Honourable Justices of the Republic of Uganda
• Honourable Members of Parliament present.
• Permanent secretaries to the respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies 
• Representatives of National Political Parties 
• Distinguished dignitaries present
• Development partners present
• Senior Representatives from the Civil Society Organizations
• Religious and Cultural leaders present,
• All members of the Administration of Justice Sub Programme
• Representatives from Government in your respective capacities
• Academia
• Media 
• Colleagues from the United Nations (UN) family 
• Distinguished guests, ladies, and gentlemen, 

It is with profound honor that I join you here today for this crucial dialogue on transitional justice in Uganda, with a particular focus on taking stock about the implementation of Uganda’s Transitional Justice Policy and strategies for the future. 

On behalf of the United Nations family in Uganda, I would like to express gratitude to Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs for inviting us to this engagement.

I would like also to thank, the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, led by Hon. Nobert Mao, the Permanent Secretary, and other esteemed leaders for their dedication to championing efforts of enhancing transitional justice processes for the people of Uganda.

I applaud the Government of Uganda for instituting the National Transitional Justice Policy (2019).  I consider this a pivotal instrument for addressing the transition from conflict to stability and to peaceful co-existence in Uganda. 

It not only establishes governance structures and systems that restore justice but also fosters reconciliation. Moreover, it stands as a crucial commitment to promoting justice and reconciliation as foundational elements for sustainable development.

The United Nations system has also accompanied Uganda in this transformative journey- through technical and financial support for a range of interventions such as:   

1. The fortification of legal frameworks, exemplified by the development of the National Transitional Policy, where United Nations Development Programme was one of the contributors along with other partners.
2. Supported to integrate the Transitional Justice component in Uganda’s third National Action Plan on Women Peace and Security as a priority area.
3. Providing support for the reintegration of victims into society, and addressing their social, economic, and psychological needs.
4. Capacity building initiatives for judicial and law enforcement personnel, enhancing their proficiency in navigating transitional justice challenges.
5. Capacity building support for the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), promote and safeguard human rights.
6. Capacity building support for women’s rights organizations on Transitional Justice and mainstreaming gender in Transitional Justice Processes 
7. Providing support to develop a popular version of the Transitional Justice Policy and translation to a few local languages for easy understanding the intensions of the of the policy within the communities.
8. Engaging in peacebuilding activities to address the root causes of conflict and foster social cohesion.
9. Advocating for transitional justice principles and thereby, elevating awareness about the significance of accountability and human rights.

Together, these collaborative efforts underscore our collective dedication to the principles of human rights, justice, accountability, reconciliation and peace. 

Right Honourable Speaker, Honourable Ministers, Distinguished Participants

This symposium holds significant importance, as it provides a platform for collective reflection, in seeking holistic and responsive strategies for strengthening transitional justice and stability. 

In addition, the symposium evaluates the performance of the Transitional Justice and informal justice, aligning it with the vision attributes of the National Development Plan III especially the priority programme of Governance and Security. 

On the other hand, it serves as a catalyst for societal responsiveness, victim redress, conflict prevention, healing, and reconciliation, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 16.

Right Honourable Speaker, Honourable Ministers, Distinguished Participants

In recognizing the strides made in Uganda’s transitional justice efforts, it is imperative to underscore the importance of accelerating the dissemination of the policy and implementing its provisions. At the same time scrutinizing any existing gaps and emerging dimensions is essential.

The evolving context in Uganda since the inception of the policy four years ago, also necessitates a nimble and adaptable approach to navigate the shifting context. A prime example lies in the advent of the fourth industrial revolution, characterized by rapid technological advancements. Harnessing the potential of technology becomes paramount for bolstering coordination, enhancing efficiency in handling transitional justice cases, and optimizing information processing. Technological integration could also streamline data management and case tracking, while simultaneously establishing robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to gauge the effectiveness of transitional justice programs and pinpoint areas for enhancement.

Furthermore, it is essential to glean insights and benchmarks from the experiences of other African countries to optimize the integration of best practices in our implementation. Countries such as Liberia, Sierra Leone, Kenya, and Rwanda, with similar policies, provide invaluable lessons that can inform Uganda’s endeavours.

From the United Nations front,  ours is a holistic approach to transitional justice, and working in collaboration with government and other stakeholders, to ensure that interventions adhere to human rights and international norms, with a gender-responsive approach of addressing root causes of injustices.

On behalf of the United Nations family, I reaffirm our commitment to sustaining partnership with the Government of Uganda. Together, we will continue advancing justice, upholding the principles of good governance, and fostering sustainable development in Uganda.

Thank you for your attention and wish all of us a fruitful symposium.