In a notable shift from courtroom-centered reform to inmate-focused engagement, the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Registry, working alongside the Judicial Training Institute (JTI), has taken Uganda’s justice transformation agenda behind prison walls—starting with a sensitisation campaign at Kampala Remand Prison.
Rather than waiting for accused persons to encounter reforms in court, the Judiciary is now meeting them at the source, equipping inmates with knowledge and options ahead of the launch of the Daily Plea Bargaining Programme scheduled for Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at the JTI in Nakawa. The programme will be officially launched by the Principal Judge, Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo.
The Kampala Remand session offered a rare, direct interface between judicial officers and inmates, led by Chief Magistrate Esther Rebecca Nasambu. The delegation was received by Assistant Superintendent of Prisons Joan Nalweyiso, Deputy Officer-in-Charge of the facility, who welcomed the initiative as a practical response to one of the justice system’s most persistent challenges—overcrowding driven by delayed case resolution.
Nalweyiso commended the Judiciary for what she described as a forward-looking intervention, noting that the Daily Plea Bargaining Programme could significantly reduce the number of inmates held on remand by speeding up the disposal of criminal cases.
“This intervention directly addresses one of the most pressing challenges in our correctional system—overcrowding driven by case backlog. It offers a practical solution that benefits both the justice system and the inmates,”she said.
Also part of the sensitisation team were Senior Magistrate Grade One, Joel Wegoye; Magistrate Grade One Josephine Ddembe Nakato, and State Brief Counsel Shamim Namyalo. Together, they broke down the mechanics of plea bargaining in accessible terms, focusing on how the process allows accused persons who admit responsibility to resolve cases more quickly—often with reduced sentences or amended charges.
But beyond the legal explanations, the session revealed deeper systemic concerns. Inmates used the opportunity to raise longstanding issues, including delays in court hearings, confusion around the calculation of time spent on remand, and uncertainty when plea agreements are rejected by courts.
Facilitators addressed these concerns in detail, offering clarity on procedural safeguards and emphasizing that plea bargaining remains a voluntary process governed by clear legal standards. The exchange underscored the importance of transparency and trust as key pillars for the programme’s success.
What emerged was more than a routine sensitisation exercise—it was a candid dialogue that placed inmates at the center of justice reform.
Closing the session, the facilitators encouraged inmates to consider enrolling in the Daily Plea Bargaining Programme, highlighting its broader impact: reducing case backlog, improving efficiency in the criminal justice system, and supporting rehabilitation and reintegration.
