Uganda Judiciary Deepens Cooperation with UNODC to Tackle Case Backlog

• The Judiciary and UNODC are deepening their cooperation to address Uganda's case backlog and prison congestion.
• The collaboration aims to improve access to justice, reduce court burdens, and promote non-custodial measures.
• UNODC support includes direct implementation of projects, court benchmarking, and learning from other jurisdictions.
• The Judiciary is exploring electronic filing, virtual proceedings, and other digital solutions to alleviate prison congestion.

The Judiciary and UNODC are deepening their cooperation to address pressing issues in Uganda's justice system, including a growing case backlog and prison congestion. The collaboration is part of efforts to improve access to justice and reduce the burden on courts. At the heart of these discussions is the need for practical interventions that can help dispose of cases within reasonable time frames. This includes exploring non-custodial measures, such as electronic filing and virtual proceedings, which could help alleviate prison congestion and promote accountability without compromising public safety. The Judiciary's Deputy Chief Justice Moses Kazibwe Kawumi has emphasized the importance of continuous training for judicial officers to keep pace with evolving forms of crime and emerging areas of law, including environmental crime.

The UNODC's support for the Judiciary in Uganda is multifaceted. The organization has been working closely with the Judiciary to combat transnational organized crime and corruption, with a focus on criminal justice reform. One key area of cooperation is court benchmarking, which involves learning from other jurisdictions to improve efficiency and effectiveness. This collaboration has contributed to the development of the Judicature (Electronic Filing, Service and Virtual Proceedings) Rules, 2025, which provide a framework for using technology in court proceedings. The UNODC's support also includes direct implementation of projects rather than grants, ensuring that interventions are tailored to meet specific needs.

The Judiciary and UNODC are working together to address the root causes of prison congestion and case backlog. This includes exploring alternatives to custodial sentences and promoting non-custodial measures that can prevent unnecessary imprisonment. The Deputy Chief Justice has highlighted the need for stronger cooperation among justice institutions on crime prevention and non-custodial responses, emphasizing that building more prisons alone will not solve the problem. Instead, it is essential to address the causes of prison congestion by implementing effective solutions that balance accountability with public safety.

The agreement between the Judiciary and UNODC may lead to increased use of non-custodial measures, such as electronic filing and virtual proceedings, which could help reduce prison congestion and improve access to justice.

Source: Original reporting via AllAfrica Uganda