Mobile Court Brings Justice Closer to GBV Survivors in Kitagwenda

What the report says

A three-day mobile court session began in Kabujogera Town Council, Kitagwenda District, as the Kamwenge Chief Magistrates Court, with support from the International Justice Mission (IJM), brought judicial services closer to local residents. The session ran from October 5 to October 7 and placed particular focus on gender-based violence cases.

According to Nile Post, the aim is to reduce the cost and travel burden for survivors, witnesses, accused persons and other court users who would otherwise need to go to the main court premises. The setup is intended to make it easier for survivors of gender-based violence to report cases, attend hearings and follow matters through the justice process. Local officials and residents welcomed the move, saying access to court closer to home could improve participation in proceedings.

IJM said its work in Uganda includes supporting local authorities and justice-sector actors to strengthen responses to violence against women and children while helping survivors through the process. The report also noted that Uganda has recently introduced a legal framework for mobile courts, allowing courts to sit away from their ordinary premises for a specified period. More broadly, the initiative reflects continuing efforts to address access-to-justice barriers in GBV cases, including distance, cost, stigma and fear.