Attorney General Kiwanuka Kiryowa has asked Parliament to allow the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao, to first meet with the Judiciary before presenting a statement on the prolonged pre-trial detention of inmates.
Kiryowa informed Parliament on Tuesday that the Justice Minister had attempted to meet with Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo and other judicial officials last week but was unsuccessful due to their commitments.
“I regret to report that we are unable to make this statement today. When this matter came up last week, the Minister of Justice made an effort to meet with the Judiciary, the Chief Justice, and the team. They were busy last week with the preparation of the judgment, and they were not able to meet him,” Kiryowa said.
He added that this week, judicial officials are engaged in the Judges’ Conference, which started on Monday and will end on Friday.
“The Minister has requested that he be allowed to meet with the Justices and then be able to report back,” he added.
Members of Parliament have raised concerns over the increasing number of inmates held for extended periods without trial. The delay in addressing the matter has sparked calls for urgent reforms in the judicial system to ensure timely access to justice.
The Minister of Justice is expected to engage with the Judiciary once their engagements allow, after which he will return to Parliament with a comprehensive statement.