The government has renewed calls for reforms in the juvenile justice system following a high-level meeting that brought together senior officials to address challenges affecting children in conflict with the law.
Youth and Children Affairs Minister Balaam Ateenyi attended the Juvenile Justice Dialogue held at the invitation of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao.
The meeting also brought together the Principal Judge, the Commissioner of Prisons, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and other stakeholders in the justice sector.
In his statement, Balaam said the discussions focused on improving how the justice system handles cases involving minors.
“This morning, at the invitation of the Minister of Justice, Hon. Norbert Mao, I joined other key leaders including the Principal Judge, the Commissioner of Prisons, the DPP, and various stakeholders for a Juvenile Justice Dialogue,” he said.
He noted that the engagement addressed long-standing concerns affecting children in the justice system and explored possible solutions.
“We engaged in meaningful discussions aimed at finding lasting solutions to the persistent concerns surrounding the management of juveniles within our justice system,” he said.
The meeting reviewed challenges such as detention conditions for minors, delays in case handling, and the need for improved rehabilitation programmes.
Officials also discussed ways of strengthening coordination among justice institutions to ensure child-friendly procedures.
Balaam emphasized that children require protection and care even when they are facing criminal proceedings.
“Children are inherently vulnerable and deserve our care and protection by the state even during criminal proceedings. We must remain committed to safeguarding their rights at all times,” he said.
He called on all stakeholders to take responsibility in strengthening child protection systems within the justice sector.
“Let us all play our part in protecting the rights of our children,” he said.
The minister also thanked Norbert Mao for convening the meeting.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to Hon. Norbert Mao for the invitation,” he said.
The dialogue is expected to feed into ongoing reforms aimed at improving Uganda’s juvenile justice framework, with a focus on rehabilitation, diversion programmes and child-sensitive processes.