Africa-Press – Uganda. The Kabale Resident Judge, Justice Ssemogerere Karoli Lwanga, has led a team of justice sector actors to Kigo Prison in a move aimed at strengthening access to justice and promoting the use of plea bargaining among inmates.
The visit comes as the judge presides over an ongoing criminal session in Kajjansi, with part of the objective being to identify vulnerable and special interest groups that could be prioritised during the session.
The delegation included the Assistant Registrar of Entebbe High Court, Rashida Butanula, Resident State Attorney Charlotte Kwikiriza, and advocates on state brief, among others. They were received by the Officer in Charge of Kigo Prison, Justine Eilu.
While addressing inmates, Justice Ssemogerere engaged both those whose cases had already been cause-listed and those who had expressed interest in plea bargaining. He revealed that Kigo Prison currently houses 2,112 inmates, including two debtors in the men’s section.
According to the judge, about 40 cases have been cause-listed, alongside an additional seven cases from the women’s wing. Notably, 20 inmates have formally expressed interest in entering plea bargain agreements.
Emphasising the Judiciary’s commitment to addressing case backlog, Justice Ssemogerere said the team was “shifting levers” by moving across locations to respond to justice needs and reduce delays in the system.
He urged inmates opting for plea bargaining to approach the process with seriousness and make informed decisions, noting that such agreements are binding and involve multiple stakeholders.
He stressed that plea bargains require careful consideration of the nature of the offence and the corresponding sentence to ensure fairness and accountability.
The judge further described plea bargaining as a critical tool in expediting justice, easing case backlog, and enabling inmates to resolve their cases more efficiently.
At the women’s wing, the team was received by Principal Officer II Ms Akampurira, where seven inmates with pending criminal trials were also addressed. Justice Ssemogerere encouraged them to remain hopeful, assuring them that their cases would be heard and justice duly served.
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