Uganda Judiciary's Plea Bargain Initiative Saves Shs2.16 Billion in 11 Days, Eases Prison Overcrowding

Uganda’s Judiciary has achieved significant savings of approximately Shs2.16 billion within 11 days by implementing daily non-capital plea-bargain hearings in the Kampala Metropolitan Area. Launched on April 8 as part of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) reforms, the programme aims to accelerate justice delivery and reduce inmate maintenance expenses.

The government incurs Shs30,000 daily per prisoner for essentials like food, water, electricity, and medical care. Data from the ADR registry indicates 1,200 cases were processed, including 966 at the Judicial Training Institute in Nakawa and 234 at 14 other courts.

Prison congestion has notably decreased, with Kampala Remand Prison’s population dropping from 2,800 to 1,600 inmates. Originally designed for 600, the facility was previously overcrowded by over four times. Officials note that remand for minor offences, such as street vending, often lasts 60 days, amplifying costs.

At a graduation for 20 ADR-trained elders at Makerere University, Prof Justice Andrew Khaukha, representing Chief Justice Flavian Zeija, praised the reforms for cost reduction and better justice access. He urged law enforcement to avoid excessive remand for petty crimes.

The Judiciary plans to clear at least 2,000 cases by July 2026, with trained community elders set to handle disputes like land and family issues to prevent court escalations.

This article is based on a report from Daily Monitor (Uganda).