African Women and the Law (Law/Gender/Social crossover) | 18 May 2003

Pre-Trial Detention Reform in Uganda: A Critical Reassessment of the Criminal Justice System Contextualized within African Legal Thought

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Abstract

Pre-trial detention in Uganda's criminal justice system is a significant issue, with many accused persons held for extended periods before their cases are heard. No empirical data were collected; instead, a critical analysis of existing literature on criminal justice reform in Uganda was employed. Uganda's legal system can learn from African jurisprudence, emphasising procedural fairness and timely justice delivery as core principles. Reforms should prioritise judicial independence, improve pre-trial procedures, and enhance community-based alternatives to detention where feasible.