Paralegal Advisory Services-(PAS)

Paralegal Advisory Services’ daily presence in 24 districts of; Agago, Arua, Busia, Bushenyi, Gulu, Iganga, Jinja, Kabarole, Kampala, Kapchorwa, Kitgum, Kumi, Lira, Luwero, Masaka, Mbale, Mbarara, Nakasongola, Nebbi, Ntungamo, Pader, Paidha, Soroti and Tororo has grown from 11 sites in the past five years, with a total of 57 social workers and 50 paralegals implementing the program. PAS now reaches out to neighbouring justice institutions in 34 districts on a weekly and monthly basis with a total coverage of 61% of Uganda’s prisons.  The increased intervention has given the program wider coverage hence increased access to legal aid services for more poor and vulnerable beneficiaries and enhanced demand for justice. PAS has made a significant contribution to reduction in the remand population in Uganda prisons from 55% in 2010 to 52% in 2017. [1]  Because of paralegals’ constant presence at detention facilities, some cases have been dealt with sooner than later and suspects/inmates r

The Paralegal Advisory Services program (PAS) has played a critical role in facilitating the delivery of timely justice in the formal and informal justice system. PAS interventions appear at the entry point to the end of the justice system to ensure that vulnerable Ugandans have quick access to justice. The daily presence of paralegals and constant follow ups made give hope to these beneficiaries of PAS services and kept Justice Actors in check with justice performance standards. Due to the services rendered by the paralegals, Mr. Mutahi Ngunyi in an evaluation of the program described PAS as ‘the human face in the administration of justice’ in such a complicated and bureaucratic justice system given the methodology of intervention to suspects at police, inmates in prison, court users and the general public. This means that the program enlightens the above groups on processes and procedure in the justice system, in a lay man’s language which enables them to express claims for their ri

The Paralegal work is about a cause to deliver justice to those in conflict with the law. many Ugandans are not aware of their right to bail and police bond. This is where the Paralegals’ duty is to enlighten these victims and sensitize those outside the community on justice and its effective delivery. For example for one to be out on bail doesn’t mean the complainant has been denied justice, the justice system is comprised of a mechanism that is self sustaining and allows for delivery of justice to one party without hampering the right of the other party. There is two sides to the coin of justice delivery, that is; Demand and supply side. The Role of Paralegals in  PAS Uganda  is to bridge the gap and provide a more lubricated environment for the supply and demand sides to attain justice. There are many actors but with Government playing a central role in providing legal aid.

Okello Moses ( not real name ) was arrested and charged with defilement. A paralegal of PAS Gulu met him in prison during daily routine work and this is what he had to say,  “ On that fateful day, I had gone to visit my friend at his place. He gave me his photo album and as I was going through it, I happened to comment innocently about the beauty of some girl whose photo was in the album. As it turned out, this girl was a sister to this friend of mine. Of course at first I was not aware of this fact. Afterwards I left for my place only to be informed the next day that I was being accused of defiling the girl I only came to know in the photo. My friend had apparently informed his brothers that I commented on his sister’s photograph and as such I should be framed for defiling their sister. They ganged up on me and threatened to beat me. They forced their sister to allege that I had defiled her. The girl, amidst beatings consented to frame me up. She failed to identify me as you will re

Browsing through sections of this blog will give you a glimpse of what we do and more. Everyday a paralegal is a ray of hope for the Suspect at police, inmate in prison and even those outside the detention facilities who have been marginalized and seek justice. PAS covers districts of Agago, Arua, Busia, Bushenyi, Gulu, Iganga, Jinja, Kabarole, Kampala, Kapchorwa, Kitgum, Kumi, Lira, Luwero, Masaka, Mbale, Mbarara, Nakasongola, Nebbi, Ntungamo, Pader, Paidha, Soroti and Tororo. (24 districts with daily paralegals’ presence). The teams conduct outreaches to 34 districts surrounding the above with a total coverage of 61% of Uganda’s prisons. The program is hosted by Uganda Prison Service in these 24 districts.

Paralegals offer daily assistance to  court  users from the public domain as well as suspects and inmates from police and prisons respectively. The presence of the Paralegals is characterized by personnel wearing blue jackets with the inscription “Paralegal” at the back. Their work is not to interfere with the  court  but they assist to sensitize the  court  users before  court  business begins. In some areas,  Court  officials give the Paralegal Officers some time to address the  court  users before the  court  process, they also access the suspects and inmates from Police and Prisons.