On 25th April 2017, the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) entered a mutual partnership with the Legal Aid Service Provision Network (LASPNET) to explore areas of cooperation between the two institutions, especially in terms of promoting social justice for marginalized Ugandans through provision of legal aid services. The partnership was cemented with signing of a Memorandum of Understanding. LAPSNET was represented by Ms. Sylvia Namubiru Mukasa – Executive Director and the Commission by Mr. Joel Cox Ojuko – Member of the Commission. This was at the Commission’s head office in Bugolobi.
The partnership seeks to pave way for the fulfillment of the two parties’ mandates which are so much in tandem, geared towards promoting the rights of marginalized persons. Among the activities to be involved in will be sensitization of people on their legal rights, provision of legal aid, case referrals between the two institutions, sharing of relevant research findings and reports, representation of EOC’s complainants by LASPNET’s legal team, joint lobbying and advocacy for legal and policy frameworks, among other joint activities.
Member Joel Cox Ojuko expressed joy over the partnership which had come to fruition following its initiation in October 2016 and re-emphasized the Commission’s mandate of providing justice and equal opportunities to all persons. On behalf of the Commission, he pledged to ensure terms of the agreement are conformed to.
In her remarks, Ms. Sylvia Namubiru Mukasa spoke highly of the Commission and commended it for entering the partnership. She further said she was optimistic the partnership will improve the livelihoods of the indigent in society.
On behalf of the Commission, the signing was witnessed by the acting Secretary – Mr. Sunday Nicholas Olwor and the Networking and Partnership Officer – Ms. Jamidah Namuyanja witnessed on behalf of LASPNET in the presence of Mrs. Bernadette Nalule Kiiza, the Commissioner Legal Services and Investigations.
Following the signing of the Memorandum Of Understanding, Ms. Sylvia Namubiru Mukasa had a meeting with Mrs. Sylvia Muwebwa Ntambi – Chairperson to the Commission during which they held talks on the appropriate measures which should be implemented to ensure the partnership is more significant.
LASPNET is a Non-Government Organization that was established to provide strategic linkages and a collaboration framework for the Legal Aid Service Providers in the country. LASPNET aims at bringing together different Legal Aid Service Providers for solidarity in strategizing, sharing lessons while minimizing duplication, capacitating them through collateral research and analysis and documenting and providing feedback on key issues regarding access to justice at national, regional and international level.