Uganda has a developed justice system and a wide range of institutions tasked with administrating justice. Yet the courts are struggling to process the cases fast enough and there is a large backlog of cases waiting to go to trial.
As a result of the shortcomings of these institutions, the Ugandan Human Rights Commission has reported an “unprecedented rise” in mob justice cases in recent years. “Mob justice is against our constitution and against the laws of this country, especially as it denies the victims of mob justice the opportunity to be taken through the due process of law and to be heard”, said Human Rights Commissioner Katebalirwe Irumba in an interview.
Last week we wanted to ask Ugandans about their feelings towards mob justice. Is mob justice acceptable? More than 3300 respondents sent in their answer from 8 radio stations across Uganda, and more than half believed mob justice to be acceptable. 29% defended it because the justice system was failing, while 24% said it was what thieves and criminals deserved. On the other hand, 24% were against it because innocent people often ends up being killed, while only 23% were against mob justice because "only the criminal justice system can give us justice".
Together with local media partners, Trac FM identifies and formulates questions regarding public services, the survey questions are later broadcasted on radio and people send in SMS participating in the poll questions free of charge, incoming SMS reports are visualized in smart graphic designs and relayed within seconds for radio presenters to update listeners on survey results.
Do you think mob justice is acceptable?
The Ugandan Human Rights Commission has reported an “unprecedented rise” in mob justice cases in recent years
