Low Judiciary Funding Blamed for Remand Home Congestion in Uganda

The Chief Justice has attributed rising congestion in remand homes to funding gaps and staff shortages in the Judiciary, warning that delayed justice delivery continues to strain Uganda’s correctional system.

Low funding in Uganda’s Judiciary has been blamed for the congestion of remand homes, with delays in case handling continuing to worsen across the justice system.

This was revealed during the Chief Justice’s Kigezi sub-region tour, which began in Kisoro, where Judiciary officials engaged with district leaders at the Kisoro Magistrates Court.

Chief Justice Flavian Zeija acknowledged that many prisoners remain on remand for long periods due to inadequate resources to facilitate court sessions and a shortage of judicial officers.

He noted that Uganda currently has about 88 judges instead of the required 150, a gap he said continues to slow down the delivery of justice.

“Prisoners stay on remand for a long time because we lack funds to organize sessions,” Dr Zeija said.

He further explained that remand homes, which are few in number, are largely supported by local governments.

However, challenges have emerged as neighbouring districts send inmates to facilities in districts that have remand homes, causing overcrowding.

As a result, he said the Judiciary has proposed that the management and financing of remand homes be transferred to the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development. The proposal is still under discussion.

“I admit that the Judiciary has limited manpower and resources. Kisoro, for instance, has only three judicial officers. I urge the available officers to rationalize their work by moving to different court sessions,” he said.

Dr Zeija also assured residents of Kisoro that a new court will soon be established in Rubuguri Town Council. He said delays had previously been caused by lack of land, but a suitable site has now been secured.

“We are still faced with challenges, including trying refugees in court because they keep moving in and out of the country. I call on magistrates and judges to handle refugee cases as quickly as possible,” he added.

He further announced that amendments to the Magistrates Courts Act, recently passed by Parliament, will soon take effect.

Under the new law, Chief Magistrates will handle cases worth up to Shs200 million, while Grade One Magistrates will handle cases up to Shs100 million, up from Shs50 million previously.

The reform is expected to reduce case backlogs by keeping more matters at the district level.

The Chief Justice also revealed that the Judiciary is in the process of decentralising the Court of Appeal to regional centres, with Western Uganda’s Court of Appeal set to be established in Mbarara.

“The Judiciary is also preparing to promote Court Open Days to allow the public to access and participate in the justice system,” he said.

The Permanent Secretary to the Judiciary, Pius Bigirimana, confirmed plans to establish another court in Rubuguri Town Council to serve residents of Bukimbiri County.

Kabale High Court Circuit Resident Judge, Justice Karoli Lwanga Ssemwogerere, noted that Kisoro is the most populous part of the circuit and faces unique challenges, including limited courts and its proximity to international borders.

He said the Kisoro Magistrates Court has adopted virtual systems to help manage cases more efficiently across locations.

Kisoro Chief Magistrate Patrick Bamuhiga highlighted additional challenges, including the absence of a remand home for juveniles in the district, noting that the nearest facility is in Kabale.

Kisoro District Vice Chairperson Alex Nambajimana welcomed government efforts to decentralise the justice system, citing the construction of courts in Bunagana and Kyanika Town Councils.

He, however, called for an additional court in Rubuguri to improve access to justice.

The Chief Justice is expected to continue his Kigezi sub-region tour in Rukiga and Kabale districts.