JLOS is a sector wide approach adopted by the Government of Uganda to bring together institutions with closely linked mandates of administering justice and maintaining law and order and human rights, into developing a common vision, policy framework, unified on objectives and plan over the medium term. It focuses on a holistic approach to improving access to and administration of justice through the sector wide approach to planning, budgeting, programme implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

The sector comprises of: Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs (MOJCA); Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA); The Judiciary; Uganda Police Force (UPF); Uganda Prison Service (UPS); Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP); Judicial Service Commission (JSC); The Ministry of Local Government (Local Council Courts); The Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development (Probation and Juvenile Justice); The Uganda Law Reform Commission (ULRC); The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC); The Law Development Centre (LDC); The Tax Appeals Tribunal (TAT); The Uganda Law Society (ULS); Centre for Arbitration and Dispute Resolution (CADER) and The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB).

Vision:

“Ensure that people in Uganda live in a Safe and Just Society”



Mission

Improve the safety of the person, security of property, observance of human rights and access to justice for accelerating growth, employment and prosperity.

JLOS Overall Goal

"To promote the rule of law”. The sector in Third Strategic Investment Plan (SIP III) will primarily aim at promoting the rule of law and shall aspire to ensure that 70% of the population in Uganda is satisfied with JLOS services and that public confidence in the justice system is increased from 34% in 2008 to 50% in 2017


JLOS Outcomes

Three outcomes are envisaged at the end of JLOS SIP III and these are in line with the institutional mandates, the National Development Plan, the Constitution, regional and international country obligations: Policy and regulatory framework strengthened; Access to JLOS services particularly for the marginalized and poor; Observance of human rights and accountability promoted.

Achievements

1.    Reduced crime rate by 43% over the 12 years cooperation with JLOS. Crime rate reduced from 532 for every 100,000 to 305 for every 100,000 in 2012. This is one of the lowest crime rates in world. It is therefore now safer for investors to operate without fear of losing their investment 

                                          i.    Reduced recidivism to under 30% 

                                           ii.    Improved police population ratio from 1:1734 in 2005 to 1:755 in 2012.       

                                         iii.    Increased capacity and visibility of crime fighting agencies  

2.    Improved legal regime for doing business with 40 out of 44 laws reformed, reducing the regulatory burden on businesses in Uganda and enhancing competitiveness of Uganda as an investment destination. 3.    Reduced lead times in accessing JLOS services.     

                                             i.    Access to JLOS institutions within a 15Km radius     

                                            ii.    Reduced remand periods                                     

                                            iii.    Ease of clearance through immigration border points in under 5 minutes       

                                             iv.    Access to work permits within 28days compared to 90 days in 2004.         

                                               v.    Registration of businesses within 24hours compared to 30 days in 2001             

                                               vi.    Certainty of processes

 4.    Strong Civilian administration throughout the country including conflict affected areas.