Kitgum High Court Intensifies Plea Bargaining Drive, 70 Inmates Secure Faster Justice
In a significant push to tackle case backlog and decongest correctional facilities, Kitgum High Court has successfully concluded a five-day Plea-Bargaining Camp at Kitgum Government Prisons.
The exercise built on an initial two-day engagement held on March 24 and 25, 2026,followed by an additional three-day session to conclude all pending matters, bringing the total to five days of focused judicial activity.
The camp was presided over by the Resident Judge, Justice Philip W. Mwaka, who handled and finalized the proceedings. A total of 70 inmates had their cases concluded through plea bargaining during the exercise.
Justice Mwaka emphasised the Court's commitment to conducting such camps on a monthly basis, describing the initiative as critical in reducing the backlog of criminal cases and easing prison congestion.
The Deputy Registrar, HW Suzanne Aisia Musooli, conveyed the Resident Judge's message, noting that the Court remains open to engaging all persons who voluntarily opt for plea bargaining. She emphasized that the process promotes efficiency in the justice system while also supporting offender rehabilitation.
The exercise brought together a team of justice actors, including Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Ms Catherine Namakoye, who heads the Northern Region, Senior Resident State Attorney Mr Patrick Ojara, and State Attorney Yusuf Ssozi.
The defence team comprised counsel Sharon Awili, Gloria Akot, and Claire Lakar, who supported the proceedings to ensure they were conducted efficiently and in accordance with the law.
During the Camp, the Deputy Registrar, HW Suzanne Aisia Musooli, visited the female section of the prison, where welfare items were distributed to inmates, including those incarcerated with their children.
She encouraged convicted inmates to accept their sentences and use their time in custody to acquire skills or pursue education, while remandees, who know they are guilty of the offences they are charged with, to consider plea bargaining as a pathway to timely and certain justice.
The Officer in Charge of Kitgum Government Prisons, Mr Oguttu Robert, commended the Judiciary for its proactive approach, noting that sustained interventions such as plea-bargaining camps are essential in addressing prison overcrowding.
The Court reaffirmed its commitment to reducing case backlog through continuous daily hearings of criminal matters and regular plea-bargaining initiatives, as it awaits funding for full criminal sessions.
Posted 16th, April 2026
