Mbarara High Court, with support from the Judiciary’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Registry, has launched a four-day plea bargaining camp at Mbarara Main Prison aimed at speeding up the disposal of criminal cases, reducing prison congestion and improving access to justice.
The exercise launched on Tuesday is being presided over by Resident Judges Justice Allan Nshimye and Justice Gelase Kafuuzi Kwemara, and has attracted 169 inmates from Mbarara Main Prison, Kakiika Prison and Mbarara Women Prison who voluntarily expressed interest in resolving their criminal cases through plea bargaining.
By the opening of the camp, 89 plea bargaining agreements had already been signed, with the court proceeding to confirm the agreements.
Speaking during a sensitisation session at Mbarara Main Prison, Justice Kwemara described plea bargaining as a vital tool for promoting timely justice, reducing case backlog and easing prison overcrowding.
He emphasised that the process must always protect the rights of accused persons, noting that every plea should be entered voluntarily, knowingly and without any form of coercion.
Justice Kwemara commended the Uganda Prisons Service, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and advocates on State Brief for their continued collaboration in implementing plea bargaining within the Mbarara circuit.
He also praised the institutions for their performance during previous plea bargaining camps, saying their joint efforts have significantly improved the efficiency of the criminal justice system.
During an interactive session with inmates, Justice Kwemara addressed concerns raised by participants and encouraged those eligible to take advantage of the plea bargaining process where appropriate.
The camp has brought together officials from the ODPP in Mbarara, advocates on State Brief and officers from the Uganda Prisons Service, who are jointly facilitating the exercise aimed at ensuring the swift and fair resolution of criminal cases.
