Welcome to the crowd funding drive for Legal Aid Service Providers Network (LASPNET). Established in 2004 as a member-based organization and officially recognized as an NGO in 2008, LASPNET has been a beacon of hope for thousands of individuals especially the poor and marginalized across Uganda who struggle to access justice. At its core, LASPNET is a collaborative framework and strategic alliance of legal aid service providers dedicated to improving access to justice for all, especially the marginalized and vulnerable segments of society.

LASPNET serves as a unified voice for legal aid service providers, advocating for policy reforms, conducting research, facilitating networking opportunities, and spearheading capacity-building initiatives. Currently with a membership of 56 organizations spread across 80 districts, 13 Honorary members who include Judges of High court and 14 associate individual members. LASPNET operates on the principles of equality, non-discrimination and inclusivity, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of gender or socio-economic status, have equal access to legal assistance in Uganda.

LASPNET operations are supported by a dedicated team of professionals headed by the Chief Executive officer and governed by a General Assembly and Board of Directors. Furthermore, the Network leverages its diverse expertise to address systemic barriers to justice and promote the rule of law. Through collaborative efforts with government agencies, civil society organizations, and international partners, LASPNET strives to create a more just and equitable society where the rights of every individual are protected and upheld.

We are reaching out to you because we believe in the power of collective action to effect meaningful change. By joining forces with LASPNET, you become an integral part of our mission to make justice a reality for all in Uganda.

  Your support will enable LASPNET to continue its vital work of empowering communities, advocating for policy reforms, and providing essential legal aid services to those in need. Together, we can build a brighter future where access to justice is not just a privilege, but a fundamental right for all.

Purpose

This fundraising drive aims to rally support for LASPNET's crucial mission of advancing access to justice and promoting the rule of law in Uganda. Through collaborative efforts with legal aid service providers, government agencies, and civil society organizations, LASPNET works tirelessly to address systemic barriers to justice and empower marginalized communities to access Justice using legal aid as a tool

Our Story line .

In Uganda, access to justice remains a significant challenge for many, particularly the poor, marginalized, and vulnerable populations. According to research carried out on justice needs and satisfaction in Uganda by the Hague Institute for Innovation of Law (HiiL), approximately 13 million legal problems occur annually in Uganda, with 70% of these problems not receiving a fair resolution. Vulnerable groups, including women, youth, orphans, ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities, face additional barriers. Poverty, environmental pressures, and economic challenges further compound the situation. LASPNET, with 20 years of dedicated service, has been at the forefront of efforts to bridge this gap and ensure that justice is not a privilege but a fundamental right for all. Through our research, lobby & advocacy, and partnership initiatives, LASPNET has been able to shed light on systemic barriers, advocate for policy reforms, and empower communities to assert their rights by ensuring availability of legal aid service

From conducting evidence-based research to advocating for legislative changes, LASPNET's impact resonates across Uganda. Our coordination and collaborative efforts with legal aid service providers, government agencies, and civil society organizations have resulted in tangible outcomes that directly benefit marginalized communities. For example, our advocacy has led to increased funding for the judiciary, ensuring that courts are adequately resourced to deliver justice effectively.

Additionally, LASPNET’s efforts have contributed to the enactment of critical legislations, such as the Children’s Act, Succession Act and the Administration of Judiciary Act which empowers the Judiciary as an autonomous arm of government.

More so to note, LASPNET is actively involved in advocating for the enactment of the National Legal Aid Bill 2022, which seeks to streamline the provision of legal aid services to Ugandans and regulate legal aid service providers in the country. The bill, previously introduced in the 10th Parliament, is currently underway for enactment

LASPNET’s work on legal aid innovation cannot be overemphasized. To its name, the organization has developed and implemented a myriad of innovations such as the Integrated Information Management System (IIMS), Social Web Application, Situational room, Bicycle Lawyering amidst the COVID 19 pandemic all of which have facilitated affordable and accessible justice delivery models and mechanisms.

That said, our work is far from over, LASPNET's mission is to advance access to justice and promote the rule of law for all Ugandans. Despite our significant achievements, we face limitations in terms of resources and capacity.

Limited resources, including funding and staffing, pose a serious challenge to the scale and impact of our programs while the complex nature of legal issues and the need for specialized legal expertise present obstacles to providing comprehensive legal aid services.

Many underserved communities still lack access to essential legal aid services, often due to geographical remoteness, lack of awareness, or financial constraints. Additionally, existing legal frameworks may not adequately protect the rights of vulnerable individuals, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and injustice.

We are however convinced that with your support, we can overcome these challenges. Your contribution will not only help us expand our outreach and advocacy efforts but also enable us to strengthen the capacity of legal aid service providers and empower communities to assert their rights. Together, we can work towards a more just and equitable society where everyone has equal access to justice, regardless of their socio-economic status. Join us in our journey towards a brighter, more inclusive future for Uganda.

  Your support can make a difference in the lives of countless individuals who are in need of legal assistance and protection of their rights.

Fundraising Goal

LASPNET is striving to raise $200,000 for a period of 1 year to support its ongoing and planned initiatives in promoting access to justice and rule of law in Uganda for the years 2024 to 2025. These funds will be use to facilitate legal support services of the network, research and advocacy initiatives as well as boost institutional development.  Priority funding areas are highlighted as below

1.     Funding the running of the Call center. The call center was opened in year 2019 with support of Democratic Governance Facility which has since 2022 exited Uganda. https://laspnet.org/component/content/article/102-new/598-the-call-centre-as-first-responder-service-to-quick-justice
2. Expand LASPNET outreach activities such as community dialogues, legal aid open weeks media sensitization to reach more underserved communities across the country.
3. Strengthen the research unit of LASPNET  which has since run out of funding. We would like to revamp our “Annual Access to Justice Trends analysis reports intended to shade light on      performance of the justice law and order sector in Uganda and highlight emerging issues hindering access to justice. https://laspnet.org/joomla-pages/reports/research-reports
4. Support lobbying and advocacy      campaigns aimed at influencing policy reforms and legislative changes to      improve the legal framework for access to justice such as enactment of the      legal aid bill 2022, witness protection law, human lights defenders’ law      among others https://laspnet.org/component/search/?searchword=position%20paper&searchphrase=all&Itemid=805
5. Strengthen the networks  secretariat and its member LASPs through conducting trainings, staff      welfare and mental wellness activities other related capacity, funding boards and committee activities allintended to empower LASPENT and the legal aid service providers to provide quality and effective legal aid services.https://laspnet.org/joomla-pages/i-e-c-materials

Contribute to sustainable legal aid in Uganda by supporting the plans to construction of a multipurpose legal aid house for the Network 

For more information visit laspnet.org