Members Validate Two Key Researches
- 10 November 2015 -
- Written by Laspnet
- Hits: 4192
On 28th and 29th October 2015, LASPNET held two meetings at Piato Restaurant in Kampala where members received two researches for validation.
The research on the capacity assessment of legal aid service providers across Uganda was validated on 28th October 2015 after a motion was moved by Mr. Edward Kyewalyanga from the Law Development Centre Legal Aid Clinic, and seconded by Ms. Lucy Peace Nantume from Foundation for Human Rights Initiative.
Ms. Sylvia Namubiru Mukasa, the Executive Director for LASPNET while opening the discussion explained that the capacity assessment focussed on issues of governance, resources, laws and regulations, staffing, geographical location and thematic areas, things that are key for the operations and sustainability of members.
The General Secretary, LASPNET, Mr. Fredrick Walulya assured members that the assessment conducted by BDO Consultancy was aimed at building their capacity and ensuring that LASPNET remains relevant to them.
The findings from the assessment indicated; weak documentation practices, failure by LASPs to reach set targets due to reduced donor funding, reluctance by Muslim legal aid service providers to represent clients for fear of being branded supporters of terrorism in light of increased cases of Islamic extremism, people taking legal aid as a last resort and mediation as one of the best approaches to resolving civil matters, among others.
His Worship Samuel Emokor, the Chief Magistrate of Fort Portal cautioned LASPs against non-compliance with regulations saying it should be a thing of the past. He applauded them for their presence which he said indicated their readiness to sacrifice for a bigger cause.
The research on Poverty, Vulnerability and Marginalisation was conducted by Pro-Initiatives and sought to establish who a poor person is to enable LASPs know their target audience for improved service delivery. This is because the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, 1995, limits legal aid services to indigent persons.
“If you are poor, you are more likely to be vulnerable and marginalised”, said Robert Mugaga who presented the research findings to LASPNET members on 29th October 2015, on behalf of Pro-Initiatives.
It was also noted that lawyers in private practice are reluctant to provide pro-bono services. On this note however, the LASPNET Executive Director called on members to market themselves given their relevance and importance in social justice and development “We are more relevant than lawyers in private practice since we take a human rights based approach to development”, she said.
Mr. Musa Ntambi from Muslim Centre for Justice moved the motion to validate the Poverty, Vulnerability and Marginalisation research study which was seconded by Ms. Josephine Kalege from Defence for Children International.
