The Resident Judge of the Kabale High Court, Justice Karoli Lwanga Ssemogerere, on Wednesday visited Ndorwa Main Prison in Kabale District, where he held an interactive meeting with inmates to assess criminal case management and directly hear their concerns about access to justice.
Justice Ssemogerere was accompanied by Assistant Registrar Kenneth Tumwebaze, members of the Regional Coordination Committee, Justice for Children Coordinator Jonathan Anguzu, and Counsel Felix Bakanyebonera.
The delegation was received by ASP Emoru, the Deputy Officer-in-Charge of Ndorwa Main Prison.
The engagement provided an open platform for dialogue between the Judiciary and inmates, with discussions centering on case backlog, prolonged remand periods and transparency in court processes.
Court officials noted that in 2025, the Kabale High Court Circuit conducted four criminal sessions presided over by three different justices.
Sessions of the Court of Appeal were also held within the circuit, alongside a High Court session in Kisoro that handled both civil and criminal matters.
These interventions were credited with improving case disposal rates and easing backlog across the region.
As of the visit, Ndorwa Main Prison had 713 inmates in the male wing and 54 in the female wing. Seven inmates were on remand for capital offences.
Justice Ssemogerere commended the prison leadership, particularly ASP Emoru, for maintaining proper records and facilitating what he described as a transparent and well-coordinated engagement.
He acknowledged the role of prison authorities in safeguarding inmates’ rights while supporting the administration of justice.
In a memorandum presented during the meeting, inmates expressed appreciation for the increased number of criminal sessions in 2025, saying it had positively impacted case movement.
However, they appealed for more frequent sessions, citing prolonged remand periods, especially for those charged with minor offences.
They also raised concerns about partial handling of cases, matters being dropped from cause lists and allegations of witness coaching by prosecutors, which they said undermine confidence in the fairness of court proceedings.
The inmates further called for renewed emphasis on plea bargaining, indicating that many would prefer structured and predictable resolutions rather than facing potentially severe sentences after full trial.
In response, Justice Ssemogerere encouraged inmates to engage constructively in 2026 and assured them that their concerns had been formally noted.
“The Judiciary remains committed to ensuring timely and fair justice, and your concerns will inform our ongoing efforts to strengthen case management within this circuit,” he said.
He explained that no criminal session has yet been scheduled for 2026 due to resource constraints but advised eligible inmates to consider plea bargaining as a lawful and practical option in the interim.
The Resident Judge also reminded inmates of their right to apply for bail, whether mandatory or discretionary, emphasizing that each application is determined on its individual merits in accordance with the law.
Assistant Registrar Kenneth Tumwebaze assured inmates that administrative concerns, particularly regarding cause lists, would be reviewed to improve coordination and clarity.
Counsel Felix Bakanyebonera reaffirmed the commitment of members of the Bar to provide legal representation and encouraged inmates to raise grievances where they feel unfairly treated so that appropriate legal support can be extended.
