MASAKA.The Acting Principal Judge, Jane Okuo Kajuga, has called on inmates at Masaka Prison to embrace the plea bargain system, where accused persons admit to their charges in exchange for lighter sentences.
According to Justice Kajuga, the initiative will help reduce the case backlog both at court and at Masaka Prison.
“I urge all inmates to take advantage of the plea bargain system so that justice is delivered faster and fairly,” Justice Kajuga said.
According to the Deputy Registrar for Alternative Dispute Resolution, Ms Zulaika Nanteza, over 100 cases will be handled under this session at Masaka Main Prison. According to her, the initiative will help reduce the case backlog both in courts and in prisons.
The leadership of the Judiciary says the plea bargain system has been helpful, allowing offenders to accept responsibility voluntarily without coercion, it will ease congestion in Masaka Prison and help clear the backlog that has delayed justice for many,” she added.
The Deputy Officer in Charge of Masaka Prison, Gerald Okabo, reported that the facility was built to accommodate only 300 inmates, but it currently holds 1,499, of whom 342 have already been convicted, while 1,157 remain on remand.
Mr Okabo also expressed concern about the increasing number of elderly prisoners and requested that arrangements be made to hold special court sessions to hear their cases.
“Many of our inmates are elderly. We request special sessions to handle their cases quickly,” he appealed.
The Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions for Greater Masaka, Mr Brian Kalinaki, raised concerns about inmates with mental health challenges, calling for interventions to rehabilitate them.
“We have several inmates struggling with mental illness, and this affects the justice process. There’s an urgent need for rehabilitation and medical attention,” Kalinaki said.
However, Justice Victoria Nakintu Katamba, the Masaka Resident Judge, assured him that arrangements are already in place to fast-track such cases.
“We are aware of these challenges, and there are ongoing efforts to handle cases involving mentally ill inmates more promptly,” Justice Nakintu responded.
Justice Nakintu added that they have now started hearing cases of inmates who have spent about 180 days on remand, with a focus on granting them bail.
The Regional Prisons Commander, SSP Alex Mugasha, explained that there is an urgent need to dismiss cases where witnesses repeatedly fail to appear in court.
The Executive Director for Alternative Dispute Resolution, Prof. Andrew Khaukha, said that although the Judiciary lacks sufficient funds to handle all cases daily, the plea bargain system should be rolled out to all prisons to help reduce congestion.
“Although the Judiciary has limited funding, the plea bargain programme should be echoed to all prisons to help decongest them,” Prof Khaukha explained.
Ms Kajuga, however, urged inmates to confess and accept responsibility for their crimes so they can access justice more quickly by taking advantage of the plea bargain opportunity.