Justice Phillip Odoki, Head of the Gulu High Court Circuit, has warned that inaccurate translation or reluctance to articulate explicit terminology in court can compromise proceedings and undermine justice in Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) cases.
Speaking at the opening of a preparatory training under the Justice for Her programme at Gulu High Court, Justice Odoki said precision in language and interpretation is critical, particularly in cases involving juveniles and sensitive sexual offences.
“When key terms are mistranslated or avoided in court, the integrity of the proceedings is affected,” he told judicial officers, clerks, interpreters and prosecutors gathered for the one-day session.
The training brought together criminal justice stakeholders from four magisterial areas under the Gulu circuit. It aims to harmonize legal interpretation, reinforce procedural compliance and improve coordinated case management ahead of an upcoming SGBV criminal session.
Justice Odoki said inconsistencies in how SGBV offences are categorized and prosecuted have slowed progress. He cited a recent joint cause-listing meeting where stakeholders acknowledged a lack of uniform understanding of what constitutes gender-based violence, with some offences such as homicide being classified under GBV without consensus.
“We have no room for failure,” he said, noting that Northern Uganda’s history of conflict has left communities particularly vulnerable to sexual and gender-based violence.
Although the Justice for Her programme was launched in Gulu last year by the Principal Judge in partnership with Austrian Development Cooperation and UN Women, implementation faced delays. Justice Odoki said the initiative has now regained momentum and must deliver measurable results.
Justice Prof. Andrew Khaukha, Executive Director of the Judicial Training Institute, addressed participants virtually, noting that the session was specially sanctioned by the Chief Justice despite the institute’s structured annual training calendar.
Recent Judiciary census data shows that a significant portion of the criminal caseload has links to gender-based violence, underscoring the urgency of strengthening case handling within the Gulu circuit.
Participants were urged to apply the training to ensure more consistent, accurate and timely adjudication of SGBV cases.
