Residents of Misonzi Island in Bufumira Sub-county, Kalangala, on Wednesday convened at the grounds of Misonzi Pentecostal Church for a Community Baraza aimed at strengthening access to justice and addressing barriers that hinder the effective handling of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and other cases.
The engagement was led by the Chief Magistrate of Kalangala, Glory Alleluya, in partnership with Heroes for Gender Transformative Action and the Uganda Police Force.
The dialogue brought together justice actors and community members in a coordinated effort to promote awareness of court procedures and enhance collaboration across the justice chain.
The Baraza provided a platform for residents to directly interact with judicial officers, police representatives, and local government officials on matters relating to SGBV, criminal justice, and civil disputes.
Particular attention was given to challenges faced by island communities, including delayed reporting, limited investigative capacity, and logistical constraints that often affect timely access to court services.
In her address, Alleluya outlined the mandate of the courts in handling SGBV and other criminal and civil matters, emphasizing the shared responsibility among complainants, investigators, prosecutors, and community leaders in ensuring justice is served. She stressed that access to justice goes beyond courtroom proceedings and requires
coordinated support from all stakeholders.
“Access to justice does not begin and end in the courtroom. It requires timely reporting, thorough investigations, and the active cooperation of the community to ensure that survivors of SGBV and other complainants receive the protection and remedies they deserve,” she said.
The Chief Magistrate also highlighted key Judiciary interventions aimed at improving efficiency and reducing case backlog, including plea bargaining, mediation, and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms.
She encouraged community members to embrace these initiatives where appropriate, noting that they facilitate timely resolution of disputes while preserving social harmony.
The meeting was attended by the District Criminal Investigations Officer, a representative of the District Police Commander (DPC), the Community Development Officer, the Probation Officer, and other local leaders. Their participation underscored the importance of a multi-sectoral approach in addressing justice challenges, particularly in hard-to-reach island communities such as Misonzi.
Community members welcomed the initiative, describing it as a vital step toward demystifying court processes and empowering residents with knowledge of their rights and available legal remedies.
The outreach forms part of ongoing efforts by justice sector actors to decentralize services and bring them closer to the people.