The Kabale High Court Resident Judge, Justice Karoli Lwanga Ssemogerere, has encouraged juveniles at the Kabale Regional Remand Home to embrace reform, reminding them that their current circumstances do not define their future.
Justice Ssemogerere made the call on Wednesday during a visit to the facility, where he interacted with the juveniles and shared the spirit of Easter through a message of hope, transformation, and second chances.
The visit brought together various justice sector actors and stakeholders committed to strengthening juvenile justice. During the engagement, the judge urged the children and staff to prioritize personal growth and positive change.
He likened their journey to restoration, noting that “something that does not need repair is often thrown away,” and encouraged the juveniles to allow themselves to be rebuilt into responsible members of society.
Justice Ssemogerere emphasized that the remand home offers a supportive environment for reform and urged the juveniles to return to their communities as agents of positive transformation. In the spirit of Easter, he also shared refreshments with them, symbolizing care, compassion, and renewed hope.
The visit further highlighted key operational challenges at the facility, including security concerns, the absence of a nearby police station, the need to expand IT training despite the availability of computers, and the installation of security cameras to enhance safety.
The Uganda Police Force Kigezi Region spokesperson, ASP Elly Maate, urged the juveniles to avoid crime and make good use of the opportunity for reform. He noted that their youth places them in a strong position to rebuild their lives, adding that future leaders, including pastors and public officials, could emerge from among them.
The Officer in Charge of the home, Mwanjja Hussein, highlighted notable achievements at the facility, including a significant reduction in repeat offending rates from 50 percent to 1 percent, improved coordination among stakeholders, and strengthened management despite limited resources.
However, he noted that child offending in the region continues to be driven by factors such as neglect, poverty, abuse by step-parents, weakened extended family structures, peer pressure, and negative influence from criminally inclined adults.
