Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, the Director of Public Prosecutions, has urged all stakeholders in the Justice Law and Order Sector, as well as the community, to join forces in the fight against human trafficking.
Her plea came during the inauguration of the Trafficking in Person Mobile App Platform (TIPMAP), a groundbreaking initiative in Uganda. Launched on July 28th, at the Kampala Sheraton Hotel, TIPMAP stands as the country’s first-ever Live Data Visualization Dashboard for Human Trafficking Cases.
Addressing the attendees, the DPP 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 this platform would contribute significantly to the ongoing activities aimed at preventing and safeguarding both Ugandans and non-Ugandans from falling victim to trafficking.
She further reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to combat trafficking crimes by implementing record-keeping mechanisms and fostering information sharing infrastructure. Abodo stressed the importance of enhancing investigative and prosecution techniques to effectively address this pressing issue.
She noted that such measures were essential for the entire criminal justice system to function optimally and collectively work towards eliminating human trafficking in Uganda.
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 aimed to facilitate the collection and sharing of data pertaining to 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.
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. Around 75% of the cases reported are domestic, warranting a more radical approach in the fight against this heinous crime.
The event also served as an opportunity to express gratitude to all partners, including the Human Trafficking Institute (HTI), for their significant contribution to this innovative project.
The Human Trafficking Institute (HTI) is dedicated to eradicating human trafficking at its roots by empowering law enforcement and prosecutors to apprehend traffickers. Through their expertise in investigative resources, training, and evidence-based research, HTI plays a pivotal role in freeing trafficking victims.
