The Judiciary has reported saving approximately Shs2.16 billion within just 11 days following the rollout of daily non-capital plea-bargain hearings across the Kampala Metropolitan Area.
The initiative, which began on April 8, is part of ongoing Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) reforms aimed at speeding up justice delivery, reducing case backlog, and easing congestion in prisons.
Officials say the government spends about Shs30,000 per day on each prisoner, covering food, water, electricity, and medical care—making the reduction of remand populations a key cost-saving priority.
According to data from the ADR registry, about 1,200 cases have been handled so far. These include 966 cases at the Judicial Training Institute (JTI) in Nakawa and 234 cases across 14 participating courts.
The programme has also significantly reduced congestion at Kampala Remand Prison, where inmate numbers reportedly dropped from about 2,800 to 1,600 within the 11-day period.
Speaking at a graduation ceremony for 20 elders trained in ADR at Makerere University over the weekend, Prof Justice Andrew Khaukha, representing Chief Justice Flavian Zeija, defended the reforms, saying they are helping to cut costs while improving access to justice.
He cautioned law enforcement agencies against the excessive use of remand for minor offences, stressing the importance of alternative justice mechanisms.
An ADR registrar, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted that Kampala Remand Prison, originally designed for about 600 inmates, had been operating far beyond capacity with up to 2,800 inmates before the rollout.
The Judiciary says the plea-bargain initiative is targeting the clearance of at least 2,000 cases by July 2026 as part of broader efforts to decongest the justice system and improve efficiency.