October 12, 2023
KAMAPALA, Uganda | The Principal Judge of Uganda’s Judiciary Dr. Flavian Zeija has paid a visit to Luzira Maximum Security Prison to address critical issues affecting inmates facing capital charges. The visit was organized in partnership with Avocats Sans Frontieres (ASF), the Austrian Development Agency, and LASPNET-U, organizations dedicated to advocating for the procedural rights of pre-trial detainees.
During his visit, Dr. Zeija, acknowledged the challenges faced by inmates due to extended periods on remand, both before and after committal to the High Court for trial. He attributed this issue to the insufficient numbers of Judicial Officers and a lack of funds for criminal sessions. However, he assured the gathered inmates and stakeholders that the Judiciary has initiated a range of strategies to address these challenges.
Among the strategies outlined were the daily hearings at the Criminal Division of the High Court and the appointment of additional Judicial Officers. He also shed light on the imminent launch of new High Courts in Entebbe, Wakiso, and Lugazi, all designed to alleviate the problem of remand overstay.
Urging inmates to embrace educational programs, vocational training, and counseling services offered within the prison, the Principal Judge underscored their fundamental role in rebuilding lives and preparing individuals for reintegration into society as responsible and productive citizens.
His Worship James Ereemye, representing the Chief Registrar Her Wordhip Sarah Langa Siu, shared how the office of the Chief Registrar issued directives to all Magistrates Courts where capital offenses were mentioned. These directives emphasized the monitoring of remand periods and the submission of lists of cases that have exceeded six months. Such lists will enable the courts to address the issue of overstay on remand, ensuring a fair and timely judicial process.
Dr. Katja Kerschbaumer, the Head of Office at the Austrian Development Cooperation, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the cooperation that had allowed their programs to flourish within the prison. She pledged Austria’s enduring support for justice institutions, aiming to enhance access to justice for all.
The inmates presented a memorandum conveying a spectrum of concerns. These included missing records, delayed trials leading to extended remand periods, deferred judgments, onerous bail terms, delayed appeals due to missing lower court records, and inadequate awareness about e-court processes such as the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS) and video conferencing facilities.
In response to missing files and documents, the Principal Judge revealed that Registrars and Judicial Officers have been directed to reorganize case file records, with a special focus on cases held outside their stations. This endeavor seeks to pinpoint the exact location of these physical files.
Regarding delayed trials, Dr. Zeija assured inmates of continued efforts, including the appointment of more Judicial Officers, deploying technology such as ECCMIS to reduce missing and manipulated court records, and exploring alternatives like plea bargaining and the promotion of criminal sessions. He also promised improvements in audio-visual links between prisons and courts to address issues of unstable internet during virtual hearings.
Mr. Rashid Bunya, the Project Coordinator for ASF, provided an inspiring update, sharing that their project has extended legal support to over 10,000 pre-trial detainees since June 2021. More than 2,000 of these individuals were represented in court and secured procedural remedies. Under the banner of “Detainees Rights Matter,” ASF conducted outreaches in multiple prisons, collaborating with Judicial Officers to expedite the resolution of cases for pre-trial inmates.
The gathering was graced by distinguished personalities, including Mr. Thijs Van Laer, the Regional Director of ASF, and Ambassador Dr. Andreas Liebmann Holzmann from the Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with dedicated prison officials.
