Chain Link Show Case

CHAIN LINK SHOW CASE
By Fred Kakooza
Resident Senior State Attorney (Jinja)
Open Week at Jinja Court 13th - 17th December 2004

At one of the meetings of the Chain Linked Initiatives of Jinja, a member of staff from the office of the Resident State Attorney reported that a pedal cyclist who had dropped him at office that very morning had refused to enter the gate. When he pressed as to why, the cyclist retorted in Lusoga the equivalent of "…… that place is dreaded, in fact it is more feared than police or even prison. You want to take me there to do what…..?

It was noted at the meeting that sister departments in the Chain Linked family are a mystery to the public. The members responded in an organised fashion. The Deputy Registrar, the Chief Magistrate and the Resident State Attorney constituted a committee on the Open Week at Jinja Court. The committee was charged with arranging an open week where the sister departments would interact with the public. It was agreed that the same be held between 13th -17th December, 2004.

The purpose of the open week was to demystify the activities of the organisations of the Chain Linked Initiative. Now everyone was aware that the purpose of the Chain Linked is improving communication, cooperation and coordination among the sister agencies. But so far the public had been left out of the initiative.It was agreed that during the week, the Chief Magistrates Court be open to general public to receive complaints and suggestions from the general public. The theme of the week was IMPROVING ACCESS TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE.

The week was given a lot of publicity. A press release was issued by the Chief Magistrate. The Kyabazinga of Busoga was invited to officiate at the opening. A procession from court through Jinja Town and back preceded the opening function of the week. The procession was historic and colourfull.

THE EXHIBITION
All stakeholders including the Chief Magistrate's Court, Resident State Attorney, Police, Prisons, Probation and Local Government exhibited. Each organisation had 1 table 2 chairs to constitute its stand.

On 03/12/2004 speeches were made by the village chairman where the court is located, the Central Division Chairperson, the District Chairman, the Resident District Commissioner, the Chief Magistrate, the Registrar High Court and the exhibition was officially opened by His Royal Highness the Kyabazinga of Busoga.

RSA AT THE EXHIBITION
Our stall was manned by two officers from our office per day for the five days. We agreed to explain to the public about our role in the delivery of criminal justice. We prepared a chart to show how investigations are commenced, the role of police and submission of the file to our office. We explained to the public that our office is an independent one with the purpose of ensuring that justice is done.

Our premises are fortunately within the vicinity of exhibition ground. We told the public that it is open to the public. One person exclaimed, " I had never imagined meeting the Resident State Attorney!" In all, the week was a success, we believe that our office was demystified.