GULU– A Plea Bargain Camp at Gulu Prison was officially at the beginning of this well by the Hon. Acting Principal Judge of the High Court of Uganda, Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga.
In her keynote address, the Acting Principal Judge Hon. Lady Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga commended the extensive sensitization efforts preceding the camp and urged prisoners to enter into plea bargains voluntarily. She emphasized that plea bargaining fosters reconciliation between offenders and victims even before trial, and urged all stakeholders to pay close attention to the human aspect of each case:
“We are dealing with persons, not files. The files are only a replica of persons, not papers.”
She further directed prosecutors to ensure that victims are informed and involved in the plea bargaining process or notified of outcomes when direct participation is not possible.
Justice Kajuga concluded by reaffirming that the camp would only close after all interested accused persons have been attended to.
Hon. Justice Phillip Wilbrod Mwaka, Resident Judge of Kitgum High Court Circuit, expressed appreciation for Kitgum’s first participation in a plea bargain camp. He noted that the circuit has focused on case backlog clearance since 2019, and that the introduction of plea bargaining represents an important complement to this effort.
Hon. Lady Justice Lillian Omara Alum, Resident Judge of Gulu High Court, observed that this was the second plea bargain camp in 2025. She reiterated the Judiciary’s commitment to timely case disposal. She added that regular criminal sessions continue to run alongside the plea bargain sessions to enhance access to justice.
Hon. Justice Prof. Andrew Khaukha, Executive Director of the Judicial Training Institute (JTI) and the Judiciary’s Focal Person for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), emphasized the need for an ADR mindset across the justice chain.
He stressed that effective plea bargaining requires meaningful victim participation and that accused persons must fully understand the agreements they sign.
He added that the ultimate goal of plea bargaining is to secure appropriate and proportionate sentences.
In her remarks, Ms. Margaret Nakigudde, Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions and Head of the Plea Bargain Unit in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), reported that 68 plea bargain agreements had been concluded following a day of sensitization. She noted that discussions are held only with accused persons who acknowledge their involvement in the offences, and that prosecutors engage victims of crime to ensure that the bargains are fair, informed, and considerate of their interests.
The camp brings together judicial officers, prosecutors, defense counsel, and other stakeholders in the criminal justice system to promote expeditious and restorative justice through plea bargaining.
The function was also attended by religious leaders from various faiths, prosecutors from Gulu Region, and defense counsel, reflecting the collaborative and inclusive spirit underpinning Uganda’s plea bargaining initiative.
