The 5th National CSO Fair

26 June 2015 -

Written by Laspnet

National CSO Fair is an annual event organized by the Uganda National NGO Forum, to provide space for mutual learning, forging viable networks, building solidarity and taking part in debates and discussions with citizens, Government and other stakeholders on development issues and concerns. This 5th National CSO Fair took place on 25th and 26th June 2015 at Hotel Africana, Kampala, under the theme, “Leaving no one behind: Uganda’s Place in the Next Global Development Agenda”.

LASPNET participated at the CSO fair through an Exhibition and convening a parallel session under the theme, “A National legal aid framework that promotes peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development.”

The deliberation during the session and interaction during the exhibition provided LASPNET with an opportunity to engage the wider stakeholders to demand for decisive action on issues of access to justice that would build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels as part of the post 2015 development agenda, share best practices and exhibit the diversity of our member organizations’ innovations, programmes and activities in advancing the Post 2015 Development Agenda as well as network, create synergies and partnerships that will lead to better working relationships towards achieving the post 2015 Development Agenda especially in matters of Access to Justice.

Parallel Session further engaged on the National Legal Aid Policy and its role in promoting sustainable development which was presented by Lillian Adriko the Clinc Manager at FIDA Uganda. The second presentation on New Innovations in the access to justice sector in relation to ensuring sustainable development was made by Mr Gard Benda Ntegyereize, Executive Director World Voices Uganda.

The discussions also centered on the recognition of the role that Non state actors play in enhancing national development through interventions such as legal aid service delivery, despite facing challenges such as corruption and inaccessible justice institutions by the majority of the citizenry, therefore calling upon government to expedite the legalization of Local Council Courts , putting in place strong institutions that are democratic, transparent, independent that allow participation of all citizenry; putting in place policies and laws that facilitate peaceful and inclusive societies such as the National Legal Aid Policy among others.

After the session a press briefing was held where key media stations were briefed on the resolutions of the parallel session to further place emphasis on the need for a national legal aid framework as key ingredient national development. It was attended by a total of 32 persons comprising of LASNET Members, the Media and ordinary citizens of Uganda.