Prisoners at Plea Bargaining Camp at Kampala Remand Prison
The Focal Judge in charge of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), Justice Andrew Khaukha, has today flagged off a Plea Bargaining Camp at Kampala Remand Prison, marking another milestone in the Judiciary's efforts to enhance access to justice through Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms.
The camp brings together inmates from both Kampala Remand and Murchison Bay Prisons, with 500non-capital offenders enrolled. Participants were drawn from several lower courts including Buganda Road, LDC, Goma, Luzira, Nakawa, Kira, Kawempe, Makindye, City Hall, Mengo, Nabweru, Nansana and the Utilities Court.
In his remarks, Justice Khaukha emphasized that the Judiciary's Top Management is reinvigorating efforts to strengthen ADR in both criminal and civil justice processes. He noted that the ADR Registry has been mandated to scale up such initiatives as part of the broader reform agenda.
He encouraged inmates who acknowledge responsibility for their actions to participate in the programme, explaining that Plea Bargaining offers a fair, faster, and more restorative approach to justice.
"Plea Bargaining enables inmates who accept responsibility to have their cases concluded without enduring long periods on remand. It reduces congestion in prisons and significantly lowers the remand-to-convict ratio," he said.
Justice Khaukha highlighted the success of the previous Plea Bargaining Camp at Luzira and Murchison Bay, where 288 cases were concluded, adding that similar camps will now be organised quarterly.
The Camp is beingfacilitated by a team of judicial and justice sector actors, including HW Justine Atukwasa (Registrar ADR), HW Jude Muwone (representing the Registrar Magistrates Affairs), HW Daniel Bwambale (Senior Principal Magistrate Grade I,ADR Registry), HW Joel Wegoye (Judicial Training Institute), State Attorneys, Defence Lawyers, and other partners.
HW Nakato Josephine, Magistrate Grade I from the Judicial Training Institute, advised inmates to negotiate realistic sentences that Judicial Officers would be able to confirm.
Ms. Margaret Nakigudde, Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions and the ODPP focal person for Plea Bargaining, underscored its benefits, including speedy case disposal, reconciliation between the accused and victims, and decongestion of prisons.
Superintendent of Prisons Nabaasa Ernest, Officer in Charge of Kampala Remand Prison, welcomed the justice actors and applauded Judicial Officers for issuing commitment warrants during the previous camp, which helped expedite case processing.
The First Deputy Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Ali Wasswa, commended the Judiciary for bringing services closer to the people and encouraged inmates to embrace rehabilitation and forgiveness. Referencing a verse from Surat Taha on repentance, he reminded the inmates that, "Indeed, Allah is most forgiving to those who repent."
He concluded with prayers for inmates to be transformed and become better citizens after serving their sentences.
The programme was moderated by HW Obizu Mallen, Magistrate Grade I at the Judicial Training Institute.
Posted 17th, November 2025
