Inmates at Ndorwa Government Prison in Kabale District have appealed for more court sessions to address prolonged remand periods, particularly for prisoners facing minor charges.
The concerns were raised in a memorandum presented to Ssemogerere Karoli Lwanga, the Resident Judge of the High Court of Uganda, during his visit to the prison on Wednesday.
The judge held an interactive engagement with inmates to assess criminal case management within the circuit and hear their grievances directly.
The inmates complained about perceived partial handling of cases, instances where matters were dropped from cause lists without explanation, and alleged witness coaching by prosecutors, issues they said undermine trust in the justice system.
They also urged stronger implementation of plea bargaining, saying many inmates would prefer predictable and structured case resolutions rather than risking severe sentences after full trials.
However, the inmates commended the judiciary for increasing the number of criminal sessions conducted in 2025, noting that the initiative improved case movement and reduced delays.
In response, Justice Lwanga encouraged inmates to approach 2026 with constructive engagement and assured them that their concerns would be reviewed.
He explained that no criminal sessions have yet been scheduled for the new year due to resource limitations but advised eligible inmates to consider plea bargaining as a lawful alternative while awaiting trial.
He also reminded inmates of their constitutional right to apply for bail, either mandatory or discretionary, emphasizing that each application is evaluated on its own merits under the law.
The Resident Judge also commended prison leadership, particularly ASP Emoru, the Deputy Officer-in-Charge of Ndorwa Main Prison, for maintaining proper records and facilitating transparent engagement between inmates and judicial officials.
He stressed the important role of prison authorities in protecting inmates’ rights while supporting the justice system.
Statistics presented during the meeting showed that the prison population currently stands at 713 inmates in the male wing and 54 in the female wing. Seven inmates are on remand facing capital offences.
The visit provided a platform for dialogue between the judiciary and inmates. It was noted that in 2025, the Kabale High Court Circuit conducted four criminal sessions presided over by three different Justices.
Additionally, sessions of the Court of Appeal of Uganda were held within the circuit, alongside a High Court session in Kisoro District, handling both civil and criminal cases. These interventions significantly improved case disposal rates and helped reduce backlog in the region.
The delegation accompanying the Resident Judge included Tumwebaze Kenneth HW, members of the Regional Coordination Committee (RCC), Anguzu Jonathan, and Bakanyebonera Felix. They were received by prison officials led by ASP Emoru.
The Assistant Registrar, Tumwebaze Kenneth, assured inmates that administrative issues, particularly those related to cause lists, would be reviewed to improve coordination and clarity.
Counsel Bakanyebonera Felix reaffirmed the legal profession’s commitment to providing representation and encouraged inmates to report any grievances where they feel their rights are compromised so that appropriate legal assistance can be provided.
