Justice Mutonyi in Plea Bargaining Visit at Kigo Prison
The Criminal Division Plea Bargaining sensitization prison project spent the day sensitizing inmates at Kigo Prison on the fast access to justice initiative.
The Criminal Division team led by Justice Margaret Mutonyi were received by Superintendent of Prisons, Mr Robert Naimuli, who is the Officer in Charge of Kigo Prison.
Prior to the sensitization, SP Naimuli led the Judge on a guided tour of the prison wards where he noted that the congestion at the facility was five times its intended capacity. The facility was designed to host 540 inmates but currently it holds 2,289 inmates. Of these, 759 are convicts while 1527 are on remand and three are debtors.
The OC decried the issue of inmates spending long times on remand and the long waiting time for appeals.
He noted that the prison population is well-behaved and that those who committed offenses are remorseful. He also requested that the inmates who are elderly and sick be prioritized.
Hon. Lady Justice Mutonyi appreciated the prison tour noting that it was important for them as judicial officers to see where they are sending the prisoners. "We have seen for ourselves the congestion in this place which is five times its capacity. We have been given a list of inmates who have been committed, those who have been waiting trial, and those who are very sick and the elderly. We shall sit as a team in the Criminal Division and see what can be done," she said.
The Judge expressed optimism that the engagement with the inmates will yield results. Adding that the Criminal Division is going to organize and come back to the prison for a camp.
The Judge was accompanied by the Deputy Registrar, HW Festo Nsenga, State Attorney Ms Kyomugisha Barbra, Ms Sheila Kihumuro defense counsel and Mr Solomon Otema, the Criminal Division prison liaison officer.
Posted 2nd, November 2022
