Judiciary grappling with lack of witness protection laws

AMBROSE GAHENE

Uganda Law Reform Commission has said the Judiciary is facing a big challenge, emanating from lack of laws to protect witnesses in major cases brought before courts of law.

This was revealed on Tuesday, during Witness Protection Bill Stakeholders meeting in Kampala.

“The worst hit area is the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), where witnesses in key capital offences are intimidated, killed or traumatised.  As a result, witnesses refrain from attending court sessions to give evidence and thereby resulting in denying justice to Ugandans”, said a senior prosecutor in the DPP's office, Charles

Kaamuli.

He said while neighbouring Kenya has a Witness Protection Act in place, Ugandan Judiciary has been facing the challenge all this time.

He cited high level corruption, kidnappings, murder and other organised crimes, as examples of cases where witnesses often disappear under mysterious circumstances or refrain from turning up to give testimonies in courts due to unclear reasons.

“We need a law to be put in place to protect witnesses, if Uganda is to meet international Legal Standards”, he pointed out, adding that currently, Uganda relies on police and prisons to protect witnesses.

While giving opening remarks; Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs Kahinda Otafire said: “We need the witness protection Bill made a law as soon as yesterday”.

He added that when the Bill is passed into law, the various security organs that have been offering the witness protection service, will only remain as liaison organs with one professional witness protection Agency.

The Belgian Ambassador to Uganda Hugo Verbist reiterated the need for Uganda to have a witness protection law, saying it’s in conformity with International Laws, where Uganda is a signatory.

“The Belgium Embassy shall continue to render the necessary support, to ensure Uganda attains this dream”, he said, adding that absence of witness security makes justice impossible.