The Principal Judge, Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, has called for plea bargaining to remain voluntary and guided by the pursuit of justice, cautioning inmates against pleading guilty to offences they did not commit simply because they are tired of being in prison.
Lady Justice Abodo made the remarks today while presiding over the second and final day of a two-day plea bargaining camp at Nakasongola Main Prison, aimed at expediting the disposal of criminal cases, reducing case backlog and addressing prolonged detention on remand.
The camp brought together Judicial Officers, prosecutors, defence lawyers, prison authorities and other justice actors to facilitate the hearing and disposal of eligible cases through plea bargaining.
Lady Justice Abodo thanked the prison authorities for opening their doors to the Judiciary, noting that conducting plea bargaining camps in prisons brings justice services closer to inmates.
She also commended the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Registry and the Judicial Training Institute (JTI) for the preparatory work behind the camps, as well as prosecutors, defence lawyers and clerks for their roles in the process.
“We are not only promoting plea bargaining. We have also introduced daily hearings and increased the frequency of criminal sessions. We are promoting mediation and other alternative dispute resolution mechanisms,” she said.
Lady Justice Abodo emphasised that the Judiciary’s concern was to ensure that justice is served rather than encourage inmates to accept plea bargains out of desperation. She noted that a camp should not be considered unsuccessful simply because some cases are not disposed of through plea bargaining, as they can be addressed through other judicial processes.
She encouraged inmates to explore appropriate alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, including mediation and reconciliation, where applicable, and noted that sentences must be guided by the gravity of the offence and relevant aggravating factors.
On prison congestion, Lady Justice Abodo said a task force comprising representatives from the Judiciary, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Police, Prisons Service, Attorney General’s Chambers and Uganda Law Society was examining measures to address the problem.
The task force, she explained, was looking at ways of ensuring cases are handled efficiently and that persons who should not remain in prison can access appropriate legal remedies.
She also assured inmates that the Judiciary would follow up on pending appeals before the different appellate courts. She undertook to engage the relevant judicial leadership on cases originating from Wakiso, Kiboga and Kampala that were not reached during previous sessions, with a view to developing a plan for their timely disposal.
The Focal Judge for Plea Bargaining, Lady Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga, similarly cautioned inmates against entering plea bargaining agreements where they had not committed the offences with which they were charged.
Her remarks followed concerns raised in a recent social media post alleging that some inmates were being forced into plea bargaining, including in circumstances involving community disputes.
Lady Justice Kajuga said such concerns deserved attention, stressing that the success of plea bargaining should be measured not only by the number of cases disposed of, but also by the quality of justice delivered.
She explained that inmates have opportunities during the process to reject facts presented to them or withdraw from the process where appropriate. No inmate, she emphasised, should accept responsibility for an offence they did not commit simply to secure release from prison.
The Judiciary, she added, would continue monitoring the impact of plea bargaining, including its contribution to reducing case backlog, enabling accused persons to benefit from the process earlier, involving victims of crime, tracking reoffending and assessing appeals arising from plea agreements.
Victim participation, Lady Justice Kajuga noted, remains an important part of the process, with feedback obtained from victims in a significant proportion of cases handled during the preceding day’s proceedings.
The Executive Director of the Judicial Training Institute and Focal Judge for Alternative Dispute Resolution, Justice Andrew Khaukha, highlighted the role of plea bargaining in supporting rehabilitation and national development.
He encouraged inmates to use their time in prison to acquire skills and prepare for reintegration into society, noting that persons serving sentences can still contribute to national development through productive activities while in prison and after release.
The Head of the Luwero High Court Circuit, Justice Godfrey Himbaza, thanked the Principal Judge and Judiciary’s top management for organising the camp, which followed concerns raised by inmates about prolonged detention on remand.
He said consecutive criminal sessions and the introduction of daily hearings had improved the disposal of cases in the circuit, with the court currently handling cases dating back to 2024 and prioritising the older matters.
Justice Himbaza also said arrangements would be made to address pending appeals, whose disposal had been delayed partly by the consecutive criminal sessions conducted since March.
Representing the Chairperson of the Judicial Service Commission, Mr Jimmy Okello called for continued public legal education among inmates and stronger links between citizens and the Judiciary.
He urged justice actors to explore ways of reducing the number of juveniles held in adult prisons, address delayed committals and uncommitted remand cases, and ensure that technical staff are available to receive inmates’ complaints during the day.
Assistant Commissioner of Prisons Jacob Kivumbi, who served as Officer in Charge of Nakasongola Prison from 2010 to 2014, commended the Judiciary for using plea bargaining and daily hearings to address prolonged remand and prison congestion.
He encouraged inmates to use their time in prison to acquire skills and improve their behaviour in preparation for reintegration into society, noting that genuine remorse should be accompanied by meaningful behavioural change.
The Officer in Charge of Nakasongola Main Prison, ASP Muhebwa Karamugire, thanked the Judiciary for its commitment to the fair and timely administration of justice.
He relayed concerns raised by inmates about fear of heavy sentences, uncertainty over the outcomes of plea bargaining and delays in appeals. He also appealed for future plea bargaining sessions to cater for inmates whose cases originated from Kiboga, Wakiso and Kampala.
The Registrar of the ADR Registry, HW Justine Atukwasa, who moderated the opening session, thanked the judges, prosecutors, defence lawyers and Judiciary staff for dedicating their time to the exercise.
Also present were Justice Paul Gadenya, representing the Criminal Division of the High Court, and HW Hope Baygenda, Chief Magistrate of Nakasongola Chief Magistrates Court, alongside prosecutors, defence lawyers, prison officials and other justice actors.
The camp has so far handled 154 offences, comprising 54 capital offences and 100 non-capital offences.
Posted 14th, October 2026
