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Kabale High Court will hear 59 criminal cases during an in-house prison session beginning July 1, 2026, as the Judiciary intensifies efforts to reduce case backlog and improve access to justice for inmates in the Kigezi sub-region.
Kabale High Court Resident Judge Justice Karoli Lwanga Ssemogerere has visited Ndorwa Main Prison to assess preparations for an in-house criminal session scheduled to begin on July 1, 2026.
The visit forms part of the Judiciary’s efforts to improve access to justice and reduce the criminal case backlog in the Kigezi sub-region.
Justice Ssemogerere was accompanied by Assistant Registrar Kenneth Tumwebaze, State Prosecutor Isaac Onyango, state brief counsel Noeline Naggayi and Racheal Nkwanzi, advocates Agnes Natukunda and Felix Bakanyebonera, and Justice for Children Coordinator Jonathan Anguzu.
The delegation was received by Ndorwa Main Prison Officer-in-Charge Julius Kisembo, who commended the judge for conducting regular prison visits and bringing justice services closer to inmates.
During the meeting, inmates presented a memorandum expressing concern over criminal cases dating back to 2021 that remain pending before the courts.
The inmates appealed to the Judiciary to prioritise older cases during the upcoming session and thanked court officials for extending justice services to prisons.
Assistant Registrar Kenneth Tumwebaze explained that the court uses a first-in, first-out system when preparing cause lists, meaning older cases are generally given priority for hearing.
He also encouraged eligible inmates willing to admit responsibility for offences to consider plea bargaining as a means of expediting case disposal.
“I urge eligible prisoners willing to admit responsibility to use the mechanism,” Tumwebaze said.
Justice Ssemogerere noted that Ndorwa Main Prison currently has about 320 committed criminal cases awaiting disposal, making it impossible to conclude all matters during a single session.
He said inmates who opt for plea bargaining are often prioritised but cautioned against abusing the process.
“Inmates who opt for plea bargaining are given priority. However, I warn against abusing the process by registering for plea bargaining only to secure a slot on the cause list and later withdrawing,” he said.
The judge also reminded inmates that bail remains available to deserving applicants who satisfy the legal requirements.
The July prison session will hear 59 cases committed between 2021 and 2026 involving both male and female inmates.
The offences set for trial include murder, rape, aggravated defilement, aggravated trafficking in children, and aggravated robbery.
, https://eastafricanwatch.net/kabale-high-court-sets-59-cases-for-july-prison-session/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=kabale-high-court-sets-59-cases-for-july-prison-session
