Justice Sector Leaders Unite to Improve Healthcare Access for Inmates and Officers

Kampala — A major step toward strengthening healthcare access and human rights within Uganda’s Criminal Justice System was marked on Wednesday with the inauguration of the Health Rights Committee and the launch of its Terms of Reference by Chief Justice Flavian Zeija at Protea Skyz Hotel in Kampala.

The newly constituted Committee brings together top leadership from key justice institutions, including the judiciary, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Uganda Police Force, and the Uganda Prisons Service. Its formation signals a coordinated national effort to address persistent health challenges affecting suspects, inmates, and justice sector personnel.

Presenting the Committee’s Terms of Reference, Director of Public Prosecutions Lino Anguzu said the body will provide leadership, oversight, and technical guidance to ensure equitable and accessible healthcare services across the Criminal Justice System, in line with national and international human rights standards.

“The Committee will also serve as a platform for coordination among key actors, fostering a holistic and rights-based approach to health service delivery,” Anguzu noted.

In his address, Chief Justice Zeija described disease as a “silent disruptor of justice,” warning that illnesses such as HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria significantly undermine the efficiency of the justice process.

“When a suspect is too ill to stand trial, when an investigator is sidelined by malaria, or when prisons become hotspots for TB and HIV, the wheels of justice grind to a halt,” he said, calling for deliberate action to combat the “triple threat” of the three diseases.

He urged the Uganda Police Force to treat medical emergencies involving suspects with urgency, while encouraging prosecutors to prioritize cases involving vulnerable individuals. He also pledged that judicial officers would remain vigilant in safeguarding the health and rights of accused persons.

The Chief Justice further called on the Uganda Prisons Service to leverage the initiative to strengthen screening, treatment, and nutrition programs for inmates.

Representing the Ministry of Health, Dr. Stavia Turyahabwe emphasized the importance of inter-agency collaboration in delivering effective healthcare. She noted that communicable diseases, particularly HIV and tuberculosis, are more prevalent in prison settings due to congestion and limited resources.

“Health cannot be delivered by the Ministry of Health alone. It requires collaboration across sectors, especially in high-risk environments like prisons,” she said.

The Committee’s Terms of Reference outline key priorities, including promoting equitable access to HIV, TB, and malaria services, improving healthcare quality in custodial settings, strengthening health systems within the justice framework, and ensuring compliance with human rights standards.

The Committee is also tasked with guiding policy reforms, resource allocation, and monitoring implementation to ensure sustainable improvements in health outcomes across the Criminal Justice System.

Officials expressed optimism that the initiative will help bridge longstanding gaps and enhance both justice delivery and public health outcomes in Uganda.

Keywords:

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