The Chief Justice, Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija, presided over the inauguration of the Criminal Justice Health Rights Committee (CJHRC) at Skyz Hotel, Naguru in Kampala on Wednesday, in a significant step towards advancing health equity within Uganda’s criminal justice system.
Upon arrival, the Chief Justice was received by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Lino Anguzu, reflecting the strong inter-institutional collaboration driving the initiative.
The Committee has been established under the “Breaking Down Barriers” initiative, a programme aimed at addressing structural and systemic challenges that hinder access to health services within the criminal justice sector.
The initiative is being implemented through a partnership between the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Ministry of Health, and the Global Fund.
The CJHRC brings together leadership from key justice sector institutions, including the Judiciary, Uganda Police Force, and Uganda Prisons Service, among others. Its core mandate is to spearhead coordinated efforts to promote equitable access to health services for all individuals within the justice system, particularly vulnerable populations.
As part of the inauguration activities, committee members are holding a half-day meeting to define their roles and responsibilities in implementing the initiative.
The meeting is expected to culminate in the adoption and signing of the Committee’s Terms of Reference, setting a clear roadmap for its operations.
The event attracted a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives from the criminal justice chain, Ministry of Health officials, civil society organisations, and members of the media.