Deputy Speaker Calls for Compensation for Prisoners Held Without Trial for Over 28 Years

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, has called for compensation for individuals subjected to severe violations of their rights, particularly those imprisoned for extended periods without trial.

His call follows a report by the Committee on Human Rights, which exposed the plight of prisoners across Uganda who have been detained for over 28 years without facing a court trial.

Tayebwa expressed shock and concern over the findings, describing the situation as both “unacceptable” and “negligent.”

“It is incomprehensible that someone could be held in prison for 28 years without appearing before a court. These things feel like stories in movies,” he remarked, clearly disturbed by the grave injustice highlighted in the report.

He further stated that the issue went beyond the release of just two prisoners and was indicative of systemic negligence that needs urgent reform.

“We must address it holistically to ensure it does not happen again,” Tayebwa stressed, also questioning why Parliament had not tackled the issue earlier.

The findings were presented by the Committee’s Chairperson, Hon. Fox Odoi-Oywelowo, who represents West Budama North East County in Parliament. The report drew attention to significant issues of prolonged pre-trial detention across the country, some lasting as long as 28 years.

This glaring delay in accessing justice was underscored in the report, with the phrase “Justice delayed is justice denied” being emphasized. The Committee urged the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs to address the systemic barriers preventing timely justice for detainees.

During the debate, lawmakers voiced their frustrations, with several calling for urgent judicial interventions. Hon. Wilfred Niwagaba, the Member of Parliament for Ndorwa County East, condemned the prolonged detentions, emphasizing the gross injustice of holding individuals for decades without trial. He pointed out that many of these detainees might ultimately be found innocent, highlighting the dire consequences of such delays in the justice system.

Hon. Jackson Kafuuzi, Uganda’s Deputy Attorney General, assured Parliament that the government would take immediate action to address the issue. He announced that the Ministry of Justice would engage with the Uganda Prisons Service to explore the possibility of automatically releasing two prisoners who have been on remand for over 28 years. Kafuuzi further acknowledged the grave situation of some detainees who have been declared mentally unfit and are awaiting ministerial decisions regarding their cases.

The debate on the report evoked strong emotional responses from the legislators, who expressed their shock and dismay at the prolonged suffering faced by the affected prisoners. Many MPs stressed the importance of judicial reforms to prevent such violations from recurring.

Deputy Speaker Tayebwa, in his remarks, directed the Attorney General to return to Parliament with a comprehensive update on the status of the prisoners and a detailed report on the rights of detainees tried under the Military Court Martial system. He also raised concerns about the misuse of police bonds, which he claimed have contributed to the delays in justice and the wrongful detention of individuals.

The Commissioner General of Uganda Prisons Service, Johnson Byabashaija, alongside other officials, attended the sitting where the report was discussed, further emphasizing the need for urgent reform. The Committee on Human Rights is expected to continue pushing for changes in the justice system to ensure that individuals are not subjected to such long periods of detention without trial.

As the issue gains traction, the government’s prompt action will be closely watched by the public, as the call for compensation and systemic reform grows louder across the country. The discussion underscores the critical need for judicial reforms to address the grave injustices faced by many Ugandans who have been denied their basic rights for decades.