Free Child Uganda Equips Nebbi Leaders to Handle Juvenile Cases at Village Level

Free Child Uganda has conducted training for 22 Local Council One (LC1) leaders in Nebbi Municipality, focusing on child-friendly justice and alternative dispute resolution. This initiative aims to empower community leaders to handle minor offenses involving children at the village level, thereby diverting them from the formal justice system and overcrowded remand homes.

The training sessions covered crucial aspects such as child-friendly mediation, children’s rights, and the application of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms. Leaders from Abindu, Thatha, and Central divisions participated, gaining practical skills to address disputes sensitively and rehabilitatively.

According to Free Child Uganda, many children end up in government remand homes for minor offenses like petty theft, facing prolonged detention and stigma. Kenneth Ecoku, an advocate with the organization, highlighted that delays in the formal court system can lead to children spending months in custody for cases that could be resolved quickly at the community level.

“Many of our children are languishing in the remand home in Arua over petty offences like stealing a saucepan or a plate,” Ecoku stated. He emphasized that empowering local leaders with the right skills can prevent these children from entering a justice process that often has detrimental long-term effects.

Local leaders welcomed the training, noting its relevance to their daily work. Stephen Udongo Wakunga, an LC1 chairperson, shared his experience with cases involving children accessing disco halls and subsequently facing abuse, admitting that leaders previously lacked the knowledge to handle such situations effectively using ADR.

Free Child Uganda, a non-governmental organization providing legal aid and support to children in conflict with the law, operates across several districts in the West Nile region. The organization’s efforts are crucial in addressing the overrepresentation of children in juvenile justice institutions, particularly for less serious offenses.

This training is expected to enhance the capacity of LC1 leaders to identify cases suitable for community-based resolution, ensuring that children’s rights and welfare are prioritized while reducing the burden on formal justice structures.

Source: Nile Post