The Kabale High Court Resident Judge, Karoli Lwanga Ssemogerere, on Wednesday visited the Kabale Regional Remand Home, where he spent time with juveniles and shared an Easter message centered on hope, reform, and second chances.
The visit brought together key actors from Uganda’s justice sector, all committed to strengthening juvenile justice. During his interaction with the children and staff, Justice Ssemogerere emphasized the importance of personal transformation and growth, urging the juveniles to view their current circumstances as temporary and not a definition of their future.
Drawing on the spirit of Easter, he likened their journey to restoration, encouraging them to embrace change and rebuild their lives into something meaningful. He noted that the remand home offers a supportive environment for rehabilitation and challenged the juveniles to emerge as responsible citizens upon reintegration into their communities.
In a symbolic gesture of compassion and care, the judge shared refreshments with the children, reinforcing the message of renewed hope associated with the Easter season.
The visit also highlighted operational challenges at the facility, including security concerns such as the absence of a nearby police station, the need for installation of security cameras, and the expansion of IT training programs despite the availability of computers.
Uganda Police Force Kigezi Region spokesperson, Elly Maate, urged the juveniles to stay away from crime and take advantage of rehabilitation opportunities. He emphasized that their youth gives them a strong foundation to rebuild their lives, noting that future leaders can emerge from among them.
The Resident Judge was accompanied by a multi-sectoral team including legal, probation, and community service officers, as well as representatives from civil society organizations and the Child and Family Protection Unit.
Officer in Charge of the home, Mwanjja Hussein, commended the visit and expressed appreciation for the continued support from justice sector stakeholders. He highlighted achievements at the facility, including a reduction in repeat offending rates from 50 percent to just 1 percent, improved coordination, and strengthened management despite limited resources.
However, he noted that child offending in the region remains driven by challenges such as poverty, neglect, abuse by step-parents, weakening family structures, peer pressure, and the influence of criminal elements in communities.
Keywords:
Kabale, juvenile justice, remand home, Easter message, rehabilitation, Karoli Lwanga Ssemogerere, Uganda Police Force, Elly Maate, youth reform, child offenders, justice sector, Kigezi region, social reintegration, crime prevention
