Hon. Justice Baguma Embarks on Fact Finding Exercise
Hon. Justice Baguma addressing prisoners at Kigo
KIGO: Mpigi Resident Judge, Hon. Justice Emmanuel Baguma, embarked on a fact finding exercise at Kigo Prison.
Accompanied by Mpigi Deputy Registrar, HW Cissy Mudhasi and Deputy Regional State Attorney, Ms Lucy Kabahuma, Hon. Justice Baguma visited the inmates to assess their challenges as well as living conditions.
The inmates in their memorandum presented by Mr Mukisa Ronald Kiwuka; pledged to be law abiding citizens upon release.
They, however, decried over stay on remand,corruption and bribery, forged medical reports in the case of sexual offences.The inmates appealed to the courts to demystify the appeals process and not to depart from sentences agreed upon during plea bargains.
The inmates said there is need for Judicial Officers to consider non-custodial sentences such as community service and fines.
The Judge shared best practices that his court will employ to ensure access to justice. "We are going draw causelists so that they are predictable. There will be continuous plea bargain sessions and will prioritize vulnerable persons."
He added that cases of juveniles in conflict with the law will be fast tracked in the system to ensure quick disposal of their cases.
The Officer in Charge of Kigo Prison, Mr Naimuli Robert Tagoola, decried the prison congestion. The prison has 1,398 inmates which is almost thrice its holding capacity of 564.
He said it is important for files transferred to the next session to be considered while cause listing.
He pointed out that files on mini session during industrial action are still pending.
Mr. Naimuli urged state briefs to visit theirclients at prison as opposed to meeting at court on the day of trial.
Hon. Justice Baguma reassured the inmates that the court will draw a work plan to generate cause lists so that inmates can have certainty on how their trials will be conducted.
"We are going to generate phased cause lists so that inmates and other stakeholders plan better."
The Judge urged the accused persons to embrace reforms put in place by the Judiciary such as Plea Bargaining,Mediation and Small Claims Procedure.
He tasked the prison authorities to submit to his court a list of committals for better planning of sessions.
The inmates thanked the Judge for visiting the prison and giving them hope.
As a token of appreciation, they presented to the Judge the Coat of Arms which he said would be displayed in court as a reminder of his visit at Kigo Prison.
Posted 23rd, May 2018
