Police in Pader District are being forced to hold minors in their cells due to the absence of designated detention and rehabilitation facilities, exposing serious gaps in the district’s juvenile justice system and raising legal and child protection concerns.
The Pader District Police Commander, Jackson Bogere, says officers are currently holding a minor who was convicted by court but has nowhere to be taken, as the district lacks a gazetted juvenile detention facility and transport to approved centers.
He reveals that the minor has been in police custody for about two weeks, a situation he admitted is not permitted by law, as police are not mandated to detain convicted or remanded juveniles.
Bogere made the remarks during a District Chain Committee stakeholders’ meeting held at the Pader District Court Hall yesterday.
The meeting, convened by Chief Magistrate His Worship Kirya Martins in partnership with the International Justice Mission, aimed to address challenges affecting juvenile justice in the district.
David Okech, Pader Senior Probation Officer, says his office receives only UGX 800,000 annually, which he describes as insufficient for fieldwork, transporting juveniles, and following up cases. He notes that the issue of underfunding has been repeatedly raised but has not received adequate attention.
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