The Judiciary’s Time-Share Fast Track Mechanism for Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Case Project was launched at Gulu High Court. The event, which was graced by the Principal Judge and Deputy Chief Justice Designate, Hon. Dr. Flavian Zeija, marks the National rollout of the project, which was initially launched on February 24, 2025, at the Judiciary Headquarters in Kampala. The Gulu and Masaka High Court Sackets are the pioneers for implementing the Justice 4Her Project in partnership with UN WOMEN and with funding from Austrian Development Cooperation.
In her opening remarks, the Acting Chief Registrar of Gulu High Court, Her Worship Pamela Lamunu, thanked the Hon. Principal Judge/Deputy Chief Justice Designate, Hon. Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija, for his unwavering efforts to bring this project to life. She also expressed appreciation for the development partners, UN WOMEN Uganda and the Austrian Development Cooperation, for securing funding for the Justice 4Her project, as well as other stakeholders involved in its implementation and success. She acknowledged that GBV remains a significant concern in society, contributing to the high case backlog in the judicial system.
The theme of the project is “Strengthening Criminal Justice Responses to GBV in Uganda.” Lamunu emphasized that GBV still accounts for a considerable number of cases in court, and beyond the numbers, the impacts on society must be addressed. “UN WOMEN has graciously partnered with the judiciary to manage GBV cases through a fast-track process, which will enhance the judiciary’s capacity,” she said. “This launch begins with training judicial officers, Uganda Police, Uganda Prisons, and other stakeholders involved in handling GBV cases.” She thanked the stakeholders and urged them to view the launch of the project as a remedy for ending GBV in society, encouraging everyone to consider the root causes of GBV.
UN WOMEN Deputy Country Representative, Ms. Adekemi Ndieli, thanked the Deputy Chief Justice Designate, Hon. Dr. Flavian Zeija, for his innovative and forward-thinking leadership, as well as the excellent coordination of the project’s high-level commencement meeting and national launch. She also praised the Uganda Judiciary for their leadership and emphasized that the world is ready to learn from Uganda’s example.
“Fighting GBV requires substantial resources, and we want to thank our partner, the Austrian Development Cooperation, for their support in ensuring the success of this project. We call on all stakeholders present to continue handling GBV cases with a gender-sensitive, survivor-centered, and trauma-informed approach,” she affirmed. Ms. Ndieli then highlighted key considerations for ensuring the success of the Justice 4Her Project, including providing special sessions for daily hearings, prioritizing GBV cases against women and girls, increasing funding and human resources for GBV-related matters, enhancing data collection, and demonstrating ownership for the success of the project.
“Ending violence against women requires collective action from the government, society, private sectors, and law enforcement agencies to challenge harmful traditional gender norms. We must address discrimination and ensure women are protected from perpetrators, even when they live under the same roof,” she concluded.
Hon. Justice Phillip Odoki, Senior Resident Judge at Gulu High Court, shared his concern that, despite constitutional demands for speedy and public hearings, the reality is quite different due to the backlog of cases. “As of the close of business on March 19, 2025, we had approximately 1,876 cases, including 867 that have been pending for over three years, 433 criminal cases ready for trial, and 235 GBV cases, which contribute to 53% of criminal cases,” he explained. “This backlog highlights the failure of the court system to deliver justice promptly.” He expressed hope that the Justice 4Her Project would address these issues, ensuring justice for both victims and accused individuals, and emphasized the importance of reliable data, resource allocation, witness protection (especially for women and children), public sensitization, and focused investigation in making the project a success.
The Principal Judge (Deputy Chief Justice Designate), Hon. Dr. Flavian Zeija, who was the chief guest at the launch, thanked UN WOMEN Uganda and the Austrian Development Cooperation for their support in bringing the Justice 4Her Project to life. He stated that the project aims not only to strengthen criminal justice responses to GBV but also to ensure the protection of the rights of all, particularly women and girls who have endured violence. He pointed out that men are often left behind when it comes to reporting GBV, as many men who are victims of violence from their wives remain silent.
“Gender-based violence is not only a violation of human rights; it is also a barrier to equality, dignity, and development. It deprives survivors of their security, voice, and hope. Violence against women and girls in Uganda is on the rise,” he said. He discussed the various factors contributing to the rise in GBV, including societal norms, economic imbalances, inadequate investigations, and limited legal awareness. Hon. Zeija emphasized that the Justice 4Her Project is a crucial response to address these issues by improving access to meaningful justice for GBV victims. He concluded by reiterating that justice should be accessible and survivor-centered for all victims of GBV, and the project will address structural and cultural barriers to GBV survivors by enhancing the disposal of GBV cases and investing in better trial proceedings.
Gulu and Masaka High Court Sackets have been selected as the pioneering areas for implementing the Justice 4Her Project due to the high number of GBV cases in those regions.
