Uganda Law Society has today morning launched a “PulidaWo” app that will help poor and vulnerable Ugandans access justice by requesting an advocate in real-time. The App, which is already on Google’s Play Store has been launched by Deputy Speaker of Parliament Hon Jacob Oulanyah while attending Pro Bono day celebrations at Railway grounds, Kampala.
Under the Ugandan Constitution, every person has a right to a lawyer in court, and in case they can’t afford one, the State has to provide them with one. There is a big backlog of cases before the courts of laws in Uganda where the parties involved have failed to find a lawyer to represent them due to their high fees.
The Uganda Law Society is trying to curb this by providing free legal services to those who need it, by creating the PulidaWo APP. “Puliida Wo” loosely translates as “Your pleader”, a term commonly used to refer to advocates in Uganda. The App will enable Ugandans get an advocate near them, with a press of a button. All you will need is a Gmail or Facebook account to log in.
According to the society, over 1000 lawyers will be at designated venues to offer free legal advice to the general public.