news 3 November 2026 Nile Post

Principal Judge Expresses Concern Over Six-Year Pre-Trial Remand Cases

Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo has criticized prolonged pre-trial detentions where suspects spend up to six years behind bars before being acquitted, calling for enhanced institutional coordination and legal access. Source: https://nilepost.co.ug/news/383896/principal-judge-raises-alarm-over-six-year-pre-trial-detention

The leadership of the Ugandan judiciary has voiced strong concerns over the prolonged pre-trial detention of suspects who ultimately face acquittal due to insufficient evidence. Speaking during a meeting with a delegation from Avocats Sans Frontières (ASF) at the Judiciary Headquarters in Kampala, the Principal Judge highlighted distressing instances where accused persons languished in prison for six years before courts cleared them.

She noted that such extreme delays severely dent the country’s image and worsen severe prison congestion. According to the Principal Judge, tackling this challenge requires comprehensive reform across the entire criminal justice chain, spanning from initial police arrests and custodial holds to investigations, prosecutions, and eventual case disposal.

Early access to legal representation emerged as a crucial recommendation during the discussions. Suspects held in police cells frequently remain outside the purview of formal court oversight, making prompt intervention vital. To combat these systemic bottlenecks, the Judiciary is establishing a dedicated taskforce mandated to produce tangible results within a year, focusing heavily on ensuring that cases reaching the courts possess sufficient evidentiary backing.

Collaboration among the police, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), and the courts must be strengthened to accelerate investigations and streamline trials. Furthermore, the Principal Judge cautioned against coerced plea bargaining, stressing that defendants must never accept plea deals merely out of exhaustion from prolonged incarceration.

On the matter of bail, the judiciary head maintained that individual applications must remain independent and strictly adhere to statutory guidelines. Additional reforms are also targeting juvenile justice, focusing on improved rehabilitation, special court sessions, and better living conditions at facilities like the Kampiringisa National Rehabilitation Centre.