By Diana N. Kintu
Mubende High Court has launched an in-house criminal session aimed at reducing case backlog and speeding up justice delivery despite funding challenges affecting preparations within the justice sector.
The session opened with a pre-session meeting chaired by Resident Judge Justice Tadeo Asiimwe and brought together representatives from the Uganda Prisons Service, Police, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), assessors, and lawyers representing accused persons.
Justice Asiimwe urged justice sector actors to maximise the limited time available by ensuring witnesses are summoned promptly and accused persons receive adequate consultations.
“We must ensure timely summoning of witnesses and adequate consultations with accused persons. The period is short, but with discipline and coordination, we can achieve meaningful progress,” Justice Asiimwe said.
A total of 50 criminal cases have been cause-listed for the session, with aggravated defilement forming the largest category, followed by murder, aggravated robbery, and trafficking in persons.
Proceedings commenced with plea-taking, while hearing dates were set for June 29, 2026.
Justice Asiimwe also encouraged greater use of plea bargaining, noting that the mechanism has become an important tool in reducing case backlog and facilitating faster disposal of criminal matters.
He called on prison authorities to identify and sensitise inmates who may qualify and be willing to participate in plea bargaining arrangements.
The session is part of wider efforts by the Judiciary to address delays in criminal justice delivery through specialised court sessions across the country.
The Principal Judge, Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, recently directed courts conducting criminal sessions to conclude them by August 30, 2026, as part of measures to improve case disposal and access to justice.
During the meeting, stakeholders welcomed the initiative but highlighted inadequate funding among some justice sector institutions as a challenge that affects preparation, coordination, and effective management of court sessions.
They noted that sufficient resources remain important to enable investigators, prosecutors, witnesses, and other justice actors to participate effectively in timely trials.
Justice Asiimwe reaffirmed the Judiciary’s commitment to improving justice delivery despite operational constraints.
“Justice delayed is justice denied. We must continue to innovate and embrace mechanisms such as plea bargaining to ensure that justice is not only done but seen to be done,” he said.
The Mubende criminal session is expected to contribute to reducing pending cases, improving efficiency in court processes, and strengthening public confidence in Uganda’s justice system.
Justice Tadeo Asiimwe Addressing representatives from Uganda prison service