Sheikh Sinani Muwanika commends Khadi courts in GBV prevention

The Inter-Religious Council of Uganda recognizes that communication and Public Relations is essential in overcoming the various problems on local, national and international level. Thus the above has been used in fighting Gender-Based Violence in Busoga sub region.

To kickoff this strategy, a number of radio talk shows have been lined up in the sub region. On 5^th June, 2017 a talk show was conducted at Iganga district’s Eye FM where Mrs. Caroline Idembe Bunga, the IRCU manager, Peace, Justice and Governance, Pascal Ericha (the Busoga GBV focal person) and the secretary for Busoga Dioceses, Rev. Daniel Tokens Wojuli were hosted.

Among the issues discussed was how formerly married individuals, conflicting expectations among lovers, different culture and family backgrounds lead to domestic violence. Rev. Wojuli proposed that schools find a way of safely incorporating advice on marriage in their curriculum so as to prepare students for the challenges that come in the institution of marriage and how to overcome them.

“The roles of ssengas (paternal aunts) and kojas (paternal uncles) have diminished in the Uganda of today and this is why GBV is on the rise. We need to strengthen their roles in society once again,” said Rev. Wojuli.

Mrs Idembe submitted that violence within Busoga is at high rate as compared to other regions. She however stressed that Iganga district is carrying the bigger burden as compared to other districts. She said that this is due to the fact that many men in Busoga carry a chauvinistic attitude and view women as inferior subjects, all boiling down to the patriarchal societies in which they were raised.

The talk show was, on 6^th June, followed by chats with the GBV Prevention actors who discussed how they have been able to combat GBV in their capacities. Sheikh Sinani Muwanika said that some of the most successful stories have been a result of the Islamic Khadi court system.

“There were two business partners, a Muslim and a catholic, who had a misunderstanding after the Muslim failed to pay back a debt he owed the catholic. The case was presented to a khadi court and was promptly solved,” Sheikh Muwanika proudly said.

He encouraged other religions to borrow a leaf from the khadi court system which he commended for their fast and effective handling of cases. He also advised that people should follow religious laws.

Further he advised that Muslims and non-Muslims should trust the Kadhi courts because cases are disposed of easily, in a short time, litigants speak freely unlike in the civil courts where one needs to hire the services of a lawyer. Therefore justice in the Kadhi courts is served at no cost.

Written by Pelagia Nakulubwa

Peace, Justice and Governance Intern