Police officers trained on child diversion measures to enhance juvenile justice
He emphasized that each child's specific needs should be addressed, and efforts should be made to reconcile them with the victims.
Kampala: Police officers in the Kiira Region and Kampala Metropolitan Area have successfully completed a two-day training on child and family protection, conducted in partnership with UNICEF.
The training, themed “Children Diversion Guidelines for Police Officers,” took place at the Uganda Civil Service College in Jinja City from December 5 to 6, 2024.
The training included officers from various departments, including Criminal Investigations (CIDs), Family and Child Protection Units, Front Desk staff, and Data Entry clerks.
The session was officially closed by AIGP Ubaldo Bamunoba, the Political Commissar of Police, who underscored the importance of officers using the newly acquired skills to protect children’s rights.
He emphasized that police officers are now trained as ambassadors for child diversion, advocating for the importance of understanding and implementing diversion measures in their daily work.
The focus of the training was on the diversion concept, which aims to guide police in handling juvenile cases while staying within Uganda’s legal framework, as outlined in the Constitution and Section 89(1) of the Uganda Police Act, Cap 62. This law empowers officers to dispose of cases at their discretion, without necessarily referring them to formal court hearings.
AIGP Bamunoba highlighted the importance of providing children with second chances, rather than subjecting them to the traditional punitive justice system.
He emphasized that each child’s specific needs should be addressed, and efforts should be made to reconcile them with the victims. The approach encourages rehabilitation and aims to prevent the negative impacts of detention on young people.
Furthermore, AIGP Bamunoba assured that children in conflict with the law must be protected from harm and their rights respected, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and other international, regional, and national legal instruments. “Divert as many cases as possible to avoid the harmful developmental effects of detention,” he urged the officers.
The Senior Commissioner of Police, Dr. John Kamya, who is also responsible for Curriculum and Doctrine Development at the Uganda Police Force, stressed the severe and long-lasting emotional, psychological, and physical consequences for young offenders. He emphasized the trauma and stress caused by incarceration, which can lead to increased anxiety and depression.
Ms. Deborah Gasana from UNICEF Kampala highlighted the ongoing collaboration between UNICEF and the Uganda Police Force in promoting juvenile justice and child protection.
She encouraged officers to share the knowledge they gained with probation officers and the wider community, emphasizing the importance of online reporting and case management. UNICEF, with over two decades of support, has helped develop the diversion guidelines to reduce the negative impact of the criminal justice system on young offenders.
Do you have an advertisement or article you want to publish? Mail us at theugreports@gmail.com or WhatsApp +256394700683.
