justice 11 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Juveniles Endure Prolonged Detention in Overcrowded Uganda Remand Homes Over Minor Crimes
Uganda's remand homes for juveniles are severely overcrowded, with many children held far beyond legal limits for petty offences, leading to poor welfare and rehabilitation challenges. The Auditor General's report exposes systemic failures including inadequate funding, transport issues, and governance gaps that violate children's rights. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/special-reports/what-next-as-juveniles-rot-in-jail-over-petty-offences--5420514
Uganda’s eight remand homes are struggling to manage a growing number of juvenile offenders, many accused of minor crimes like theft. These facilities face overcrowding, with occupancy rates exceeding 100 percent in most cases, particularly in Fort Portal and Mbale where capacities are 129 percent and 122 percent over limits.
The 2025 Auditor General’s report reveals alarming violations of the Children Act. For minor offences, 41 percent of 82 sampled juveniles exceeded the three-month remand limit, while 45 percent of 44 juveniles charged with capital offences stayed over six months. This prolonged detention disrupts education, causes psychological harm, and hampers rehabilitation efforts.
Over 1,184 children, mostly boys, are currently detained across these homes for offences including murder, rape, and robbery. Challenges include inadequate sleeping space, poor sanitation, limited healthcare, broken transport vehicles preventing court appearances, and insufficient funding for food.
Experts like lawyer Peter Walubiri highlight institutional breakdowns, with courts failing to notify the Justice minister for timely case disposal. Child rights advocate Judith Yeko calls for alternative rehabilitation-focused mechanisms to reduce reoffending risks.
Human rights activist Hellen Nabwire suggests transferring management from the Ministry of Gender to the Prisons Service due to resource shortages. Ministry PS Aggrey David Kibenge notes recent improvements: doubled budget to Shs1.2 billion and designating remand homes as courts for on-site hearings.
Calls grow for more remand homes, better coordination among police, courts, and probation officers, expanded non-custodial options, and community involvement in prevention and reintegration.