(L-R): Hon. Lady Justice Jane Abodo (Director of Public Prosecutions), Hon. Justice Dr Zeija (PJ) and HW Sarah Langa (Chief Registrar)
On Wednesday (May 8,2021), the Principal Judge, Dr Flavian Zeija, met with the Justice, Law and Order Sector (JLOS) stakeholders at the Judiciary headquarters in Kampala to explore solutions on criminal justice, which the outbreak of the COVID-19Pandemic has crippled.
"Due to restriction of the physical appearance of prison inmates in courts, many accused persons have overstayed on remand awaiting trial," the PJ observed, adding that there are increasing reports of financial constraints on police officers to transport remand prisoners from police to court then prison.
In March 2020, the Chief Justice issued guidelines to govern operations of Courts in line with the directives issued by the President. The directive partly prevented the physical presence of prisoners in courts.
The PJ noted that this has not only affected the right to a speedy hearing, but it also compounds congestion in prisons and case backlog in courts which consequently erodes public confidence in the justice system.
"We as interlinked stakeholders in the criminal justice system have a noble duty to look for urgent and lasting solutions to the issues aforementioned despite the continued existence of the COVID-19 pandemic," he said.
On the other hand, Mr Samuel Akena, the Director Correctional Services, Uganda Prisons Services, emphasized the need to decongest the Prisons by expediting the court litigation process while observing strict SOPs ensure the safety of the prisoners and staff.
In line with the enforcement of the Human Rights Act of 2019, the Director of Criminal Intelligence Directorate, Uganda Police Force, Ms Grace Akullo, decried the pressure to observe the 48 hours rule within which to produce an accused in court, yet courts are partly operational when it comes to criminal matters.
In addition to observing all SOPs as issued by the Ministry of Health, several guidelines were proposed as courts resume the physical appearance of prisoners in court. Various proposals were also made to improve the criminal justice system in the country.
The Chief Registrar, HW Sarah Langa Siu, appealed to all stakeholders to urge all their officers in the field to work closely together to enhance communication and coordination within the District Chan-Linked Committees to ensure adherence to the adopted SOPs and efficiency in the administration of justice.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Hon. Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, welcomed the move to resume the physical trial of suspects in courts. "As ODPP, we are in full support of this, and we shall render any necessary support," she said, adding that there is, however, a need for the JLOS stakeholders to regularly meet to resolve issues that affect the dispensation of criminal justice in the country.
After considering all proposals tabled by the various stakeholders, the PJ disclosed that a circular would be subsequently issued by the Chief Justice stipulating the revised contingency measures to prevent and mitigate the spread of COVID 19 as courts open up.
Other JLOS Institutions were represented by the Commissioner for Children, Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development; the Judiciary's Public Relations Officer, HW Jamson Karemani; The National Coordinator Justice Centres Uganda, Mr. Besigye Aaron; and the JLOS Technical Advisor (Criminal Justice), Ms Lucy Ladira.
Posted 29th, April 2021
