Entebbe Chief Magistrate Conducts Plea Bargaining Sensitisation at Kigo Prison
The Chief Magistrate of Entebbe, HW Stella Maris Amabilis, on Thursday conducted a plea bargaining sensitisation session at Kigo Prison (men and women), where a total of 38 inmates; 36 male and two female, opted to embrace the initiative.
The exercise was carried out alongside Magistrates Grade One HW Edgar Tibayeita, HWOtim Moses, and HW Mazimwe Lilian; State Attorney Mr Paul Aheebwa; CounselNdhahura Edward and Counsel Taremwa Collin (advocates on state brief); and Community Service Officer Ms Nyakato Edida, supported by internship students.
The team was received by the Officer in Charge, ASP Eilu Justine, who appreciated the Judiciary team for taking time to sensitise inmates and called for more such engagements to enhance access to justice.
While addressing the inmates, HW Amabilis highlighted the Judiciary's commitment to promoting plea bargaining as a mechanism for timely, fair, and effective justice, while safeguarding the constitutional rights of accused persons at every stage of the process.
She emphasised that plea bargaining is voluntary and participatory, involving all parties; including the accused, complainant, State Attorney, and defence counsel, up to the final stage of execution.
The Chief Magistrate further noted that plea bargaining provides accused persons with an opportunity to negotiate for lesser sentences, promotes timely justice, reduces case backlog, and contributes to decongesting prisons.
In her closing remarks, HW Amabilis thanked the staff of Kigo Prison for their warm reception and commended the inmates for embracing plea bargaining as a pathway to expeditious justice.
Posted 16th, April 2026
