-Comprehensive Skills For Effective Investigation and Prosecution
By Insight Post Uganda
Kampala- Uganda
To strengthen the efforts against human trafficking, officers from 24 agencies have undergone intensive training. The main goal of this training is to equip them with the advanced skills to carry out their duties effectively.
Their primary focus is on reviewing and improving the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for investigating and prosecuting this crime. This training also aimed to define the precise timing and modalities for implementing and monitoring the dissemination plan envisioned on November 3, 2022.
The training was organized by the Office of the Public Prosecutions and the Uganda Police Force, in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, this significant training receives support from CIVIPOL and UNODC – United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime – as implementing partners of the Better Management Programme (BMM). The BMM program receives co-funding from the European Union and Germany.
During the training, the officers participated in simulations that draw on the expertise of CIVIPOL national anti-trafficking specialists and utilize the National Referral Guidelines.
By closely examining the dissemination plan and incorporating practical experiences, the participants seek to develop a robust strategy to combat trafficking and safeguard potential victims effectively.
Multiple agencies and organizations come together in a powerful display of commitment to effectively combat crimes related to trafficking in persons.
The Multi-Agency Task Force, by leveraging their expertise and resources, seeks to enhance their collective capacity and capability in responding to and prosecuting trafficking offences in Uganda.
This collaborative approach extends to ongoing training and cooperation, with the Task Force focusing on improving the implementation of SOPs, refining investigative methods, and ensuring the successful prosecution of trafficking cases.
The ultimate goal of this united effort is to safeguard victims and eradicate human trafficking within the country. The anticipated outcome of this training is to empower participants with essential knowledge and collective initiatives that will have a tangible impact on safeguarding vulnerable individuals and upholding justice.
Power Of Collaboration
Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, the Director of Public Prosecutions, has issued a compelling call to action, urging all important stakeholders in the Justice Law and Order Sector and the community to join forces in the fight against the heinous crime of human trafficking.
The Trafficking in Person Mobile App Platform (TIPMAP) was launched in Kampala on July 28th. TIPMAP is Uganda’s first-ever Live Data Visualization Dashboard for Human Trafficking Cases, which will be a central hub for anti-trafficking efforts and public awareness.
Abodo emphasised the significance of the ODPP – TIPMAP website, which will provide vital information to anti-trafficking organizations and the public. The platform is expected to play a major role in preventing and protecting both Ugandans and non-Ugandans from trafficking.
The government is committed to implementing advanced record-keeping systems and improving information-sharing infrastructure to enhance investigation and prosecution techniques in combating trafficking.
In 2021, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) partnered with the Human Trafficking Institute (HTI) and Liberty to create the TIPMAP platform. This medium will facilitate the collection and dissemination of data related to human trafficking investigations and prosecutions.
The Programs Coordinator at the Human Trafficking Institute, Julia Zabbu, explained that the platform will offer a comprehensive analysis of human trafficking cases at both national and international levels, continuously updated to provide a precise overview of ongoing cases.
Superintendent of Police Kemigisa Nusura, the Trafficking in Person Liaison Officer for ODPP and Police Criminal Investigation Directorate, believes that TIPMAP will uncover data trends to develop effective intervention strategies against human trafficking, especially given that around 75% of reported cases are domestic.
The occasion was also an opportunity to express gratitude to partners, especially the Human Trafficking Institute (HTI), for their contributions to the project.
The Human Trafficking Institute is dedicated to freeing trafficking victims by empowering law enforcement and prosecutors with investigative resources, training, and evidence-based research to combat exploitation and create a more compassionate world.
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