The Judiciary of Uganda has made significant progress in reducing case backlog and decongesting the country's prisons through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). In a recent week, at least 132 cases were resolved through plea bargain sessions. This effort is part of a broader strategy to promote an efficient and timely criminal justice system. The initiative has seen multiple prisons and courts participating in plea bargain camps.
At Kigo Main Prison, a three-day mini plea bargain camp was held from September 28 to October 1, resulting in 26 accused persons being convicted and sentenced. During this exercise, 26 accused persons entered into plea agreements. Meanwhile, at Butuntumula Prison, a single-day plea bargain session concluded 40 cases, bringing the total number of cases disposed of through these interventions to 66. These numbers demonstrate the potential of ADR in expediting case disposal.
The plea bargain sessions have been well-received by stakeholders, including prison authorities. The officer in charge of Butuntumula Prison commended the initiative and suggested that similar sessions be conducted regularly, preferably at least once every quarter. This, he noted, would help address prolonged remand and ease pressure on the prison population. The sessions allow accused persons and the prosecution to agree on an appropriate sentence, subject to court supervision and approval.
The Judiciary's ADR Registry has been actively sensitizing inmates about the benefits of plea bargaining. At Nakasongola Prison, over 80 inmates have been registered for an upcoming plea bargain camp scheduled for October 12 and 13, 2026. Similar sensitization efforts have been conducted at other prisons, including Jinja Prison Complex. These efforts aim to bring expedited case disposal closer to inmates in various regions.
The ADR Registry's efforts are not limited to a single region. In the Eastern Region, a joint plea bargain camp for Soroti and Kumi is scheduled for October 18 and 19, 2026. Additionally, the Mbale High Court is set to conduct a plea bargain camp on October 21 and 22, 2026. These sessions are part of a broader strategy to extend ADR efforts to more inmates across the country.
Arua Main Prison has also seen significant interest in plea bargaining, with 243 inmates registered for a joint High Court and Chief Magistrate’s Court plea bargain camp scheduled for October 13 and 14, 2026. The registered inmates comprise 126 whose matters are listed before the High Court and 117 before the Chief Magistrate’s Court. This level of participation indicates a growing awareness and acceptance of ADR among inmates.
According to Chief Magistrate Esther Adikini of Luweero, the plea bargain exercises align with the objectives of the Judicature (Plea Bargain) Rules, 2016. These rules aim to promote an efficient, orderly, predictable, and timely criminal justice system. By providing an avenue for accused persons and the prosecution to agree on sentences, plea bargaining helps reduce case backlog and enhances the overall efficiency of the justice system.
Key points
- 132 cases resolved through ADR in one week.
- Plea bargain sessions to be conducted regularly at various prisons.
- ADR Registry sensitizing inmates across regions about plea bargaining benefits.
