A Critical Analysis On the Impact of Case Backlog On the Right to Fair and Speedy Trial in Uganda

Table of Contents

DECLARATION ......................................................................................................................................................... ii

APPROVAL. ................................................................... ~ ......................................................................................... iii

DEDICATION .......................................................................................................................................................... iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ........................................................................................................................................... v

LIST OF ACRYNOMS .............................................................................................................................................. vi

LIST OF STATUTES ................................................................................................................................................ vii

LIST OF CASES .................................................................................................................................................... xi

Abstract ............................................................................................................................................................... xii

CHAPTER ONE ......................................................................................................................................................... 1

1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 1

This paper examines the causes and impacts of case backlog on the enjoyment of the right to fair and

speedy trial to the citizens of Uganda and the study will explore into the legal and institutional framework

for monitoring the observance of the above mentioned rights. This study will thereafter propose reforms

and recommendations to improve the enjoyment of the right to fair and speedy study .................................. 2

1.1 Background to the study ............................................................................................................................ 2

1.2 Problem Statement ..................................................................................................................................... 2

1.3 Aims and objectives .................................................................................................................................... 3

1.4 Research questions ..................................................................................................................................... 3

1.5 Hypothesis .................................................................................................................................................... 4

1.6 Significance of the study ............................................................................................................................ .4

1. 7 Methodology ............................................................................................................................................... 4

1.8. Limitations ................................................................................................................................................. .4

1.9 Literature Review ........................................................................................................................................ 5

1.20 Chapter synopsis ..................................................................................................................................... 11

CHAPTER TW0 ...................................................................................................................................................... 12

LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK REGULATING AND ENFORCING THE RIGHT TO FAIR AND

SPEEDY TRIAL IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE ....................................................................................... 12

2.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 12

2.1 LEGAL FRAMEWORK REGULATING SPEEDY TRIAL IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE ................. 12

2.1.11nternationallegal framework .............................................................................................................. 12

viii

2.1.2.11nternational Covenant on Civil and Political Rights ........................................................................ 12

2.2.1.2 Other international instruments ....................................................................................................... 14

2.1.3 Regionallnstruments ............................................................................................................................. 15

2.1.3.1 The African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights ....................................................................... 15

2.1.1 National legal framework ...................................................................................................................... 17

2.1.1.1 The Constitution of Uganda, 1995 .................................................................................................... 17

3.1.1.2 The Human Rights (Enforcement) Act, 2019 .................................................................................... 18

2.1.1.3 Judicature (Plea Bargain) Rules, 2016 ............................................................................................... 19

2.1.1.4 The Prisons Act .................................................................................................................................... 20

2.1.1.5. The Police Act ..................................................................................................................................... 21

2.2 INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK .................................................................................................................. 22

2.2.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 22

2.2.3 The Judiciary ........................................................................................................................................... 22

2.2.1 The Uganda Human Rights Commission .............................................................................................. 23

2.2.2. The Uganda Police Force ...................................................................................................................... 24

Prolonged detention of suspects of crime in police facilities ...................................................................... 25

(b) Delayed police investigations ................................................................................................................... 25

2.3.4 The Uganda Prisons Service .................................................................................................................. 26

2.3 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................................. 26

CHAPTER THREE ............................................................................................................................................... 27

CASE BACKLOG AND ITS CAUSES IN THE JUDICIARY OF UGANDA .............................................................. 27

3.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 27

3.1 Causes of case backlog in the Judiciary ................................................................................................... 27

The following are the causes of backlog in the Judiciary: ........................................................................... 28

3.1.1 Poor work attitude and poor performance by some judicial and non-judicial officers in the

judiciary Judicial staff: ..................................................................................................................................... 28

3.1.2 Litigants and witnesses .......................................................................................................................... 29

3.1.3 Advocates ............................................................................................................................................... .30

3.1.4 Delays in the criminal justice system ................................................................................................... 30

3.1.5 Infrastructure ........................................................................................................................................ .31

3.1.6 Poor Storage and Record management ............................................................................................... 32

3.1.7 Poorly planned and executed Session System ................................................................................... .32

ix

3.1.8 Jurisdiction .............................................................................................................................................. 32

3.1.9 Lack of optimal staff numbers .............................................................................................................. 32

3.2 Measures put in place to reduce case backlog in the Judiciary ............................................................ 33

3.2.1 Creation of High Court Circuits, Divisions and Magisterial Areas ...................................................... 33

3.2.2 The Court Case Administration system (CCAS) ................................................................................... 34

3.2.3 Mediation ................................................................................................................................................ 35

3.2.4 The Small Claims Procedure .................................................................................................................. 36

3.25 Plea Bargaining ....................................................................................................................................... 36

3.3 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................................. .37

CHAPTER FOUR ................................................................................................................................................ 38

THE IMPACT OF CASE BACKLOG ON THE ENJOYMENT OF THE RIGHT TO FAIR AND SPEEDY HEARING IN

UGANDA ........................................................................................................................................................... 38

4.0 Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. .38

4.1 Backlog and the right to fair hearing ....................................................................................................... 39

4.2 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................................. 45

RECOMMENDATIONS AND REFORMS .......................................................................................................... .46

5.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. ..46

5.1.11ncrease the number of judicial staff/ officials .................................................................................. ..46

5.1.2 Use of technology ................................................................................................................................. .47

5.1.3 Physicallnfrastructure .......................................................................................................................... .48

5.1.4 Need to reform the law to increase Jurisdiction of the Magistrates ............................................... .49

5.1.5 Disposition without trial ........................................................................................................... .49

5.1.6 Political sensitivity and sensitization ................................................................................................... .49

5.1.7 Legal remedies against delays .............................................................................................................. 50

5.1.8 Performance standards ........................................................................................................................ 50

5.1.9 Adopting a culture of joint responsibility ............................................................................................ 50

5.1.10 Case flow management and continuous practices ........................................................................... 51

5.2 Conclusion .......................................•......................................................................................................... 51

References ....................................................................................................................................................... 52