Katureebe to support laws that favour PWDs

The Chief Justice, Bart Katureebe, has called for a revision of some of laws that do not favour people living with disabilities. 

Katureebe made the remarks on Wednesday at High court while receiving the draft judicial rules from the Coalition on Enhancing Access to Justice for Persons with Disabilities (CEAJ-PWDs).

He said some laws need to be amended because they find a lot of difficulties while handling case concerning people with disabilities.

"We have been struggling with old laws, but it’s good we have gotten these ones," he said.

The Constitution of Uganda provides for quality before the law and the presumption of innocence.

However, persons with disabilities currently don’t enjoy the same levels of protection.

"I am handing over to you this draft of the judicial rules to help court in handling cases involving persons with disabilities," said Esther Kyozira, the program officer NUDIPU.

The coalition involving East Africa Centre for Disability Law and policy (EA-CDLP), NUDIPU and Network of Public Interest Lawyers (NETPIL) and the Uganda Human Rights Foundation noted that some of the gaps in the current laws need to be amended.

"There are gaps in the law that need to be bridged for us people with disabilities to have access to court rooms, access to information and also a law that can cater for people who have been victims of mental illnesses to testify in courts of law,"said Florence Ndagire, the Human Rights policy adviser.’’

The coalition informed the gathering that they have also secured some funds totalling $75,000 to facilitate what they are pursuing for.

However, Katureebe promised to support the coalition's efforts as long as he lives no matter whether he will be still the chief justice or not.