The Deputy Inspector General of Police, Maj Gen Sabiiti Muzeyi, has blamed the lack of a witness protection law as one of the challenges affecting police efforts in investigating cases of gender-based violence, defilement and rape
Muzeyi made the remarks while officiating at the opening ceremony of the training of trainers of Police officers on Gender Based Violence (GBV) and sexual Reproductive Health Rights at Kibuli CID Headquarters.
The function was facilitated by Justice and Law Sector (JLOS), UNFPA and Decade of Action.
The program which will cover 14 districts is expected to improve awareness of the nature and manifestation of GBV, reduce social tolerance and improve attitudes as police handle such cases.
Sabiiti said such a legislation would not only ensure protection for victims of sexual violence to participate in justice processes but also lead to the fulfilment of accountability processes.
“The lack of the law has an adverse impact on some victims of very serious SGBV cases who will fear to appear in court or even to aid police investigations because they fear stigmatization or even for their lives,” he emphasized.
“If the environment was friendly, for example by keeping them in separate rooms or by not requiring the victims to appear in court in person, it would improve the quality of evidence,” he said.
Sabiiti said the force shall continue to strengthen the Forensic capabilities in dealing with investigations of SGBV related offences to improve the quality of evidence.
“I use this opportunity to thank UNFPA for supporting our forensic capabilities with biosafety fridges, sexual assault kits, and other field tools,” said Sabiiti.
Grace Akullo, the Director Criminal Investigations said the training is aimed at sensitizing officers on a number of issues including referral mechanisms.
“This training is meant to impart knowledge and sensitize the officers on referral mechanisms or what experts need to use when investigating or referring victim of gender based violence,” she said.
The Uganda Demographic Health Survey (UDHS) 2016 shows that women are more than twice as likely to have experienced sexual violence at some point in their lives as men.