Jimmy Anguyo, head of the Child and Family Protection Unit and Gender Focal Person at Arua Central Police, explained that the ordinance is a vital step for Arua City. He expressed optimism that it will facilitate resource mobilization and reduce domestic violence cases.
The Arua City local council has enacted the Arua City Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Draft Bill 2024. In an extraordinary council session on Tuesday, led by Speaker Teddy Yako, council members unanimously voted to pass the bill after two separate readings.
Millicent Milly, Deputy Mayor and Secretary for Gender and Social Development for Arua City, introduced the motion. She noted that the ordinance will enhance local authority and structures, enabling better action against perpetrators of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), while also equipping institutions and responsible parties to prevent, manage, and respond to SGBV incidents.
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The passage of the bill into an ordinance follows recent police statistics reporting a rise in SGBV cases in Arua, with 418 incidents recorded last year alone. Jimmy Anguyo, head of the Child and Family Protection Unit and Gender Focal Person at Arua Central Police, highlighted that the ordinance is a vital step for Arua City. He expressed optimism that it will facilitate resource mobilization and reduce domestic violence cases.
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Counsel Henry Odama, Senior Legal Officer for Arua City, explained that once the bill is gazetted and made public, the city will begin sensitizing residents before full enforcement.
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Khalsum Abdu, Secretary for Social Services in Arua City and a women's rights activist celebrated the enactment of the bill as a significant achievement for the council and a critical measure for protecting women.
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Following its passage, the bill will be sent to the Ministry of Local Government’s Legal Department for certification, then to the Attorney General, and finally returned to the Mayor of Arua City for signature. Once signed and published in the Uganda Gazette, implementation of the ordinance will commence.
