Uganda's chief justice told prisoners not to accept plea bargains if they committed no crimes. Alfonse Owiny-Dollo spoke at Gulu Main Prison during a three-day legal camp on Monday. He warned inmates against pleading guilty just to escape long waits for trials. The chief justice said prisoners should stand firm if they know they are innocent. He explained that plea bargains work best when people actually committed the crimes they face.
Gulu Main Prison holds more than 1,600 inmates despite being built for only 244 people. Most prisoners remain on remand awaiting their court dates. Legal experts from Pepperdine University and Uganda's court system are helping with the plea bargain sessions. About 280 inmates signed up for the program. The prison officer said overcrowding creates major problems at the facility.
Court officials warned that lying to judges about committing crimes carries criminal penalties. Director of Public Prosecution Jane Frances Abodo said plea bargains still require punishment even with confessions. She told prosecutors to review cases fairly and send weak cases back to Kampala. Four inmates will be released after officials found no evidence against them for murder charges. The plea bargain system started in 2015 to reduce prison crowding and court backlogs across Uganda.
Gulu Main Prison holds more than 1,600 inmates despite being built for only 244 people. Most prisoners remain on remand awaiting their court dates. Legal experts from Pepperdine University and Uganda's court system are helping with the plea bargain sessions. About 280 inmates signed up for the program. The prison officer said overcrowding creates major problems at the facility.
Court officials warned that lying to judges about committing crimes carries criminal penalties. Director of Public Prosecution Jane Frances Abodo said plea bargains still require punishment even with confessions. She told prosecutors to review cases fairly and send weak cases back to Kampala. Four inmates will be released after officials found no evidence against them for murder charges. The plea bargain system started in 2015 to reduce prison crowding and court backlogs across Uganda.
