Free Child Uganda Trains Nebbi LC1 Leaders in Juvenile Justice

What the report says

Free Child Uganda has trained 22 Local Council One leaders in Nebbi Municipality on child-friendly justice and alternative dispute resolution, with the aim of keeping minor child-related disputes out of formal courts and remand homes. The session brought together LC1 chairpersons and executive committee members from Abindu, Thatha and Central divisions, according to Nile Post.

The organisation said the training focused on how village leaders can handle certain child-related matters at community level, where legally appropriate, while protecting children’s rights and reducing pressure on the formal justice system. The article says child rights advocates are concerned that cases involving minor offences can expose children to long detention periods, stigma and harsher court processes.

Kenneth Ecoku, an advocate with Free Child Uganda, said the group is worried about children being held in remand over petty offences that might be resolved locally. He also urged parents and caregivers to play a stronger role in guiding children. Another local leader, Stephen Udongo Wakunga of Riverview Cell in Central Division, said the training was timely because child-related cases are common in his area and leaders need clearer guidance on jurisdiction and mediation.

Free Child Uganda, which provides legal aid, counselling and resettlement support to children in conflict with the juvenile justice system, operates across several West Nile districts and cities. The organisation says the training is part of wider efforts to strengthen community-based handling of eligible cases and ease the burden on formal juvenile justice institutions.