Judiciary, UN Drugs & Crime Office Move to Deepen Cooperation on Case Backlog, Prison Decongestion

What the report says

The Judiciary of Uganda and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) are discussing ways to broaden cooperation on reducing case backlog, easing prison congestion and expanding alternatives to imprisonment. The talks took place in Kampala when Deputy Chief Justice Moses Kazibwe Kawumi met a UNODC delegation led by Jeptum Bargoria, the agency’s head of office in Uganda, at the Court of Appeal.

According to Nile Post, the meeting reviewed existing collaboration and identified several areas for deeper work, including non-custodial measures, judicial training, access to justice, environmental crime, alternative justice systems and the use of technology in court processes. Justice Kawumi said the backlog of cases remains a major challenge and argued that courts need practical measures so matters are resolved within a reasonable time. He also said judicial officers need ongoing training as crime and legal issues evolve.

Kawumi further called for more attention to responses that reduce unnecessary imprisonment, saying prison building alone cannot solve congestion. He stressed that incarceration affects not only offenders but also families and communities, and urged stronger coordination across justice institutions on prevention and non-custodial options.

UNODC said its work in Uganda includes criminal justice support, benchmarking with other jurisdictions and assistance on environmental crime. The article also noted delays in some planned initiatives, including digital court systems and refurbishment, while the two sides agreed to continue discussions aimed at improving efficiency and access to justice.