Uganda has eight remand homes that accommodate children in conflict with the law, but these facilities face several challenges, including inadequate funding to care for the children, delays in hearing cases, parents failing to show up in court, and transport difficulties.
The State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs, Balaam Barugahara, says that despite the limited resources, authorities are making efforts to rehabilitate the children so they can return to society with skills to earn a livelihood.
According to the Police Annual Crime Report for 2025, a total of 3,308 juveniles were involved in crime, of whom 2,908 were boys and 400 were girls.
Figures from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development indicate that more than 1,184 children are currently held in the country’s eight remand homes, including 1,136 boys and 48 girls.
A visit to Naguru Remand Home highlights the scale of the challenge. The facility, which sits on about one and a half acres, houses more than 300 children—far above its intended capacity.
At the time of the visit, children were engaged in prayer, one of the activities aimed at counselling and rehabilitation. They are also given opportunities to learn skills such as tailoring, hairdressing and farming.
Mary Kyomugisha, the officer in charge of Naguru Remand Home, says most children brought to the facility come from the Buganda region and parts of Busoga.
“We have 313 children now; this facility is meant to have around 100, so there is a bit of congestion,” she says.
Kyomugisha adds that earlier this year the number rose to about 400, partly due to election-related arrests, worsening congestion before slightly easing.
Children held in remand homes stay there while awaiting court decisions. While some cases are concluded quickly, others take longer, contributing to overcrowding.
Naguru Remand Home is among the few facilities with an on-site children’s court, a development Kyomugisha says has reduced anxiety among the children.
“At times the children would get panic attacks when told they are going to court, but now we just inform them the judge is coming and they can go through the process peacefully,” she says.
Minister Barugahara notes that logistical challenges continue to hinder operations. Some facilities lack vehicles to transport children to court, while long distances make it difficult for parents to attend proceedings.
“The Fort Portal home has no vehicle, while the one in Mbale lost the engine. This is a challenge and one of the reasons some children remain longer on remand,” he says.
He adds that funding remains insufficient despite some increases.
“When I became minister the budget was around Shs500 million, but now we have around Shs200 million for transporting the children and Shs600 million for feeding. I hope the budget can be raised to Shs1.2 billion,” he says.
Common offences committed by the children include theft, robbery, murder, defilement and rape. Both Barugahara and Kyomugisha attribute this to parental neglect and lack of guidance, with some parents failing to appear in court.
“Parents are turning to the police and this has left the children to do as they please,” Kyomugisha says.
“I ask religious leaders to help guide the children back to the Ten Commandments,” Barugahara adds.
Within the facilities, children are separated according to the offences committed, with three dormitories used for accommodation.
Those who are convicted are transferred to Kampiringisa National Rehabilitation Centre, where they serve their sentences before eventual reintegration into their communities.