The subject of Access to Justice is very important in any Human Rights discourse related to the empowerment of marginalised and Vulnerable people as it is pivotal for their protection, guaranteeing their dignity and well-being.
Proper and accessible justice systems will avail tools that are important for widening the bottlenecks that lead to marginalisation. Legal Aid is one of such tools.
The Kitega Community Centre is a registered legal aid service Provider with a team of 3 lawyers that run it.
With the integration of the legal aid ministry in its activities, the approach of the Centre has since changed from a mere giving of alms to vulnerable and marginalised persons to actually empowering them through access to justice systems with the view of helping them achieve their full potential by overcoming their social and economic stiflers.
Over the past 18 months, Kitega Community Centre has reached out to communities with the proactive approach of empowering the marginalised through legal aid. Regulation 21 of the Advocates (Legal Aid to Indigent Persons), 2007 provides for the forms of legal aid to include Representation in courts of law, mediation, Conciliation, Legal Advice and counseling
Through the legal representations for bail, the successful sessions of conciliation, the counseling and the meditations we are convinced that legal aid is one of the most potent tools of bridging the gaps that hinder the marginalized from achieving their full potential.
85% of the population is termed indigent because they are unable to meet costs of professional legal services. This raises the fear of widening the scope of marginalized persons if nothing is done about it.
The legal aid has the potential to empower more communities. Together, let’s make it happen
Recent updates:
Justice for the elderly – this week the legal aid project is dealing with case related to land eviction of three elderly widows that have been on the land for the last 40 years. Our legal team has taken on the case to ensure that Justice is served-
More eviction threats: The legal aid team is dealing with several land cases , some involving families and making several women vulnerable. The last two months have seen more women supported.
The Kitega Community Centre’s Legal Aid Project has been making significant strides in empowering individuals through legal sensitization over the past weeks, helping them understand their rights. A particular focus has been on addressing the issue of unfair land evictions, which disproportionately affect women in our community.
Through our efforts, we have created a safe space for individuals to learn about their legal rights and seek assistance in challenging evictions that threaten their livelihoods. Our legal team is dedicated to providing support and guidance to those who need it most.
Additionally, we have seen an increase in community members visiting our legal offices to write their wills. This proactive approach has proven to be a crucial solution to many family disputes, ensuring that individuals can express their wishes clearly and avoid potential conflicts in the future.
Overall, the Legal Aid Project is playing a vital role in promoting justice and equality within the communities served, and we are committed to continuing this important work.
Our current sponsors for the legal aid project:
