Share this article

Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo’s endorsement of plea bargaining to address case backlog and streamline justice costs underscores the benefits of plea bargaining for both the legal system and inmates’ rehabilitation.

Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo advocates for the implementation of plea bargaining to alleviate case backlog and streamline the cost associated with dispensing justice.

In his statement, Owiny-Dollo underscores the dual objectives of expediting criminal proceedings and facilitating the rehabilitation and societal reintegration of inmates. Consequently, he encourages incarcerated individuals to contemplate plea bargaining as a means of assuming accountability for their actions, positing that such a mechanism holds promise for fostering peace.

Furthermore, Owiny-Dollo extends commendation to Pepperdine University for its steadfast support of the plea bargain program over the past decade.

These sentiments were articulated on Monday, March 4, 2024, during a plea-bargain session convened by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) at Luzira Prison in Kampala.

Plea bargaining entails the admission of guilt by the accused in exchange for a judicious sentence, a process which, according to the prosecution, conserves state resources and alleviates the judicial strain inherent in protracted hearings.

The Judiciary inaugurated the plea bargain program in 2014, a venture endorsed by the former Principal Judge Dr. Yorokamu Bamwine, who extolled its manifold advantages for the state, accused individuals, and society at large.

During the session, High Court head of the Civil Division Musa Ssekaana underscored the conditionality of plea bargaining upon an acknowledgment of guilt, urging inmates to approach the program with due diligence.

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Justice Jane Frances Abodo lauded the Chief Justice’s stewardship in advancing plea bargain initiatives, likening the process to traditional African conflict resolution methods predicated on contrition and absolution, thereby facilitating societal reintegration.

Abodo commended inmates for exercising their constitutional right to engage in plea bargaining, highlighting the program’s resilience in the face of COVID-19 challenges, while emphasizing the importance of forgiveness.

Furthermore, DPP underscored the necessity of meting out fair punishments based on evidence and in consideration of victims’ rights, urging prosecutors to handle case files with meticulousness.

Lastly, Stella Nabunya, the Regional Prisons Commander for Kampala Extra Region, implored inmates to exhibit rehabilitated conduct upon release, emphasizing that incarceration is not a permanent abode.

Senior Superintendent of Prisons Mbazira Brian extolled the advantages of conducting plea bargain camps within prisons, noting heightened inmate participation and awareness, which ultimately facilitates swifter access to justice and reduces remand durations.