Last Updated on: 29th July 2023, 09:35 am
Kampala I Justice Jane Frances Abodo, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has urged all stakeholders in the Justice Law and Order Sector and community to join forces in the fight against human trafficking.
Her remark came during the inauguration of the Trafficking in Person Mobile App Platform (TIPMAP) on July 28 at the Kampala Sheraton Hotel.
Abodo emphasized the role of the ODPP–TIPMAP website, which is expected to serve as a pivotal information hub for various anti-trafficking entities and the public at large.
She prayed that the platform would contribute significantly to the ongoing activities aimed at preventing and safeguarding both Ugandans and non-Ugandans from falling victim to trafficking.
DPP further reaffirmed the government’s “unwavering commitment to combat trafficking crimes by implementing record-keeping mechanisms and fostering information sharing infrastructure”.
Speaking at the same event, Abodo stressed the importance of enhancing investigative and prosecution techniques to effectively address this tenacious issue.
In 2021, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) joined forces with the Human Trafficking Institute (HTI) and Liberty to develop the Trafficking in Persons Mobile App Platform (TIPMAP) in Uganda.
This initiative aims to facilitate the collection and sharing of data about human trafficking investigations and prosecutions.
According to Julia Zabbu, the Programs Coordinator at the Human Trafficking Institute, the website will provide comprehensive data analysis of different human trafficking cases, both at the national and international levels.
The data will be frequently updated, offering an accurate overview of cases that have undergone the criminal justice system.
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Zabbu believes that the platform will encourage individuals to report cases, ultimately leading to the apprehension of perpetrators and the protection of victims, which is the primary goal of this initiative.
Superintendent of Police Kemigisa Nusura, the Trafficking in Person Liaison Officer for ODPP and Police Criminal Investigation Directorate, emphasized that the tool would be instrumental in analyzing data trends and devising effective intervention strategies to combat human trafficking.
About 75 per cent of the cases reported are domestic, warranting a more radical approach in the fight against this heinous crime, according to Uganda Police.
According to Uganda Police, TIPMAP stands as the country’s first-ever live data visualization dashboard for human trafficking cases.
On October 23, 2009, Uganda passed the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act (PTPA). The Act prohibits all forms of trafficking and prescribes up to life in prison for offenders.