Uganda has taken a step toward strengthening humane treatment within its justice system with the launch of a committee dedicated to safeguarding the health rights of people in custody.
At a ceremony held on March 18, 2026, the Chief Justice of Uganda, Flavian Nzeja, officially inaugurated the Criminal Justice Health Rights Committee. The body is expected to ensure that access to healthcare is integrated into criminal justice processes across the country.
The launch brought together leaders from key justice and health institutions, united around the goal of ensuring that individuals who come into contact with the justice system retain their right to medical care.
Speaking at the event, Nzeja emphasised that justice must go hand in hand with protecting human dignity and health.
“Justice begins at the intake,” he said, stressing that authorities should consider the health status of individuals from the moment they are taken into custody.
He added that illness can affect fairness in legal proceedings.
“A disease is a disrupter of justice,” he remarked, noting that poor health can limit detainees’ ability to participate meaningfully in their cases.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Lino Anguzo, welcomed the initiative, saying it would help address long-standing gaps between the health and justice sectors.
The committee will oversee programmes aimed at improving access to medical services for detainees and inmates while they undergo legal processes.
Many detention facilities in Uganda continue to face challenges such as congestion, poor sanitation and limited access to healthcare personnel. Health experts warn that such conditions increase the risk of disease outbreaks and delay timely treatment.
Representing the Ministry of Health Uganda, Commissioner for Communicable Disease Control Stavia Turyahabwe highlighted the urgency of strengthening health services in prisons and detention centres.
She cautioned that overcrowding and inadequate healthcare access can turn such facilities into hotspots for infectious diseases, putting both inmates and staff at risk.
Officials say the Criminal Justice Health Rights Committee is expected to enhance coordination between justice and health institutions. By integrating health considerations into the administration of justice, authorities hope to improve the welfare of people in custody while reinforcing fairness and effectiveness within the legal system.
