The Judiciary’s Anti-Sexual Harassment Committee has intensified its campaign against workplace misconduct with a sensitisation session held on Monday at Mbale High Court.
The engagement brought together Judicial Officers and staff from courts under the Mbale High Court Circuit, marking a renewed push to strengthen safety, dignity, and respect within the institution.
Supreme Court Justice and Chairperson of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Committee, Lady Justice Lillian Tibatemwa Ekirikubinza, delivered the keynote address titled “Sexual Harassment: The Elephant in the Room.” She cautioned that sexual harassment often persists beneath the surface in many institutions, including the Judiciary, despite its severity and the harm it inflicts.
Justice Tibatemwa reaffirmed the Judiciary’s recognition of the problem and its commitment to decisively addressing it. She encouraged victims and survivors to speak out, assuring them that they are not powerless and that clear channels exist to hold perpetrators accountable.
By the end of the session, she said, participants would be more knowledgeable about reporting mechanisms and the structures established to support complainants.
The Chairperson also highlighted the need for continuous training, both for supervisors and the Anti-Sexual Harassment Committee members, to ensure that employers uphold their duty to create safe workspaces and to manage cases confidentially and impartially.
The Judiciary’s six-member committee, she added, was constituted with these principles in mind.
Supreme Court Justice and Technical Advisor to the Committee, Justice Muzamiru Kibeedi, delivered a presentation on the workplace impact of sexual harassment, identifying reduced productivity as a major consequence.
He underscored the importance of mental health in sustaining staff performance, noting that the Judiciary partners with Rapport Counselling to provide professional support to those affected by harassment or related trauma.
Justice Kibeedi later moderated an interactive Q&A session where participants sought clarity on distinguishing consensual relationships from harassment and the range of sanctions offenders may face.
He explained that punishments depend on the facts of each case and the complainant’s wishes, ranging from apologies and reprimands to more serious disciplinary actions.
He added that Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) may also be considered where preferred by the complainant.
He also presided over the selection of Anti-Sexual Harassment focal persons for each court, who will receive specialised training to guide their colleagues and support the reporting process.
Court of Appeal Justice and Committee Member Justice Asa Mugenyi facilitated a session that invited participants to share their expectations from the training. Officers sought guidance on safeguarding themselves from harassment and the possibility of rehabilitating persistent offenders.
The Head of Mbale High Court Circuit, Farouq Lubega, who officially opened the session, emphasised the need for staff to clearly understand the established reporting channels and proper procedures for raising concerns.
In a vote of thanks, Mbale Resident Judge Charles Kasibayo hailed participants for their active engagement and commended Deputy Registrar Fred Waninda and the organising team led by HW Dorothy Lwanga for delivering a successful sensitisation exercise.
The Judiciary says such engagements will continue across circuits as part of a broader effort to strengthen institutional integrity and ensure workplaces where all staff feel safe and respected.