By Ben Musanje
The “Governance and Security Program” report, released on Thursday in Kampala, paints a picture of both progress and ongoing struggles in Uganda’s justice and security sectors.
The review of the performance of 34 government agencies responsible for upholding law and order reveals tangible gains in some areas, but also underscores deep-rooted issues that continue to impact public trust and the effectiveness of the justice system.
This mixed report touches on key institutions ranging from the Uganda Police, the Ministry of Justice, the Prison Service, to the Office of the Auditor General, and highlights the government’s attempts to balance immediate security needs with long-term reforms.
A Step Forward in Security: The Police on the Ground
Among the most significant accomplishments noted in the report was a substantial increase in police presence.
In the past year, police coverage expanded to 56% of Uganda’s sub-counties, with 1,231 out of 2,190 receiving police services.
This growth has been heralded as a critical step in improving response times and enhancing public safety.
The government’s efforts to decentralize law enforcement were further bolstered by the introduction of a “sub-county policing model.”
With 18 officers assigned to each sub-county, the initiative aims to bring policing closer to the people, ensuring that even the most remote areas are not left vulnerable.
According to the report, this initiative contributed to a reduction in crime, with cases decreasing from 228,074 in 2023 to 218,715 in 2024, marking a slight but significant drop in crime rates.
Justice Delivery: One-Step Closer, Yet Still Far to Go
On the justice front, progress was made in expanding one-stop service points in Uganda’s districts.
These integrated facilities, which offer police, prosecution, and prison services under one roof, grew from 84 to 94 districts, marking 78% completion of the target.
The goal of reaching 117 districts aims to bring justice services to rural areas, reducing the burden on those who otherwise have to travel long distances to access courts or police stations.
However, despite these achievements, Uganda’s justice system still faces major hurdles.
The backlog of cases in the judiciary remains one of the most pressing concerns, with some legal processes taking years to resolve.
According to Dr. Huda Oleru Abason, the Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs, while there has been some improvement in reducing the case backlog, the target for full resolution has not been met.
Additionally, corruption remains a stubborn problem, with the government failing to meet its target of reducing corruption to below 26%.
Although there have been efforts to tackle the issue, the persistence of bribery, inefficiencies, and weak accountability mechanisms continues to undermine progress in both the justice and security sectors.
Prison Overcrowding and Human Rights Concerns
Perhaps one of the most glaring issues identified in the report is the ongoing problem of prison overcrowding.
The country’s prisons are operating at full capacity, with many detainees spending extended periods in remand awaiting trial.
This not only exacerbates the strain on the criminal justice system but also fuels human rights concerns, with 9,000 complaints filed with the Human Rights Commission in the past year alone.
While the government has made strides in reducing the proportion of remand prisoners from 52.2% in 2021/2022 to 47.3% in the following year, the issue of overcrowding is far from resolved.
This has become a point of contention among civil society groups, who argue that the justice system’s inefficiencies disproportionately affect the poor and marginalized, often leading to prolonged detention without trial.
Legal Reforms: Clearer Lines, But New Challenges Emerge
Legal reforms have been another focus of the government’s justice and security efforts.
Notably, the passing of the UPDF Act, which clarifies the criteria for civilians being tried in military courts, was hailed as a significant step toward legal transparency.
This change aims to prevent confusion over which court should hear certain cases, particularly when security forces are involved.
However, this reform is not without its complications. Dr. Katja Kerschbaumer, the Head of the Austrian Embassy’s Development Cooperation, highlighted concerns about the continued trial of civilians in military courts despite Supreme Court orders.
These inconsistencies have created confusion, particularly in areas like Karamoja, where armed groups have been involved in violent acts.
The Political Landscape: A Calm Election Campaign Amid Security Concerns
One area where the government has received praise is in the political arena. As Uganda’s presidential campaigns unfold, the country has witnessed the most peaceful electoral season in decades.
According to Yunus Kakande, the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President, this year’s elections have been notably calm, with no reports of violence, even as candidates campaign across the country.
“This seems to be the most peaceful election season since 1996,” Kakande said. “We hope that this trend continues, and by the end of the campaign, Uganda will have set a major record in Africa—holding elections without violence.”
This achievement, however, contrasts sharply with some of the security concerns that remain at the local level, especially in areas like Karamoja and parts of the western regions, where militia groups have been active.
Looking Ahead: Realistic Goals and Persistent Challenges
Despite the achievements, the “Governance and Security Program” report acknowledges that Uganda’s justice and security sectors still have a long way to go.
Dr. Huda Oleru Abason emphasized that while improvements have been made, challenges like corruption, judicial delays, and human rights abuses persist.
“The work is not done,” she said. “We have made strides, but there is still a lot to do. Our goal is to keep pushing forward and to address the areas where we have fallen short.”
Sam Wairagala, the Deputy Senior Technical Advisor at the Governance and Security (JLOS) Secretariat, also offered insight into the broader picture of governance and security reform.
He acknowledged the progress made, particularly in improving efficiency within the Ministry of Justice, where over 14 trillion shillings have been saved by cutting down on unnecessary legal settlements.
“We’ve seen an improvement in the way the system operates, moving away from a culture of inefficiency and bureaucracy,” Wairagala noted. “These savings are a testament to the hard work of government officials who are committed to improving the system.”
However, he cautioned that much work remains to be done, particularly in the area of non-tax-driven revenue collection. “While we’ve made progress in some areas, the continued focus on sustainable, non-tax revenue generation through justice and security sectors is critical for the long-term stability of the country,” he added.
Wairagala emphasized that despite the reforms, the key challenge remains to ensure that these efforts translate into tangible outcomes for ordinary Ugandans. “We are making progress, but the real test will be whether the public sees and feels these changes in their daily lives,” he concluded.
As Uganda continues to reform its justice and security systems, the coming year will be critical in determining whether the government can build on these early successes and address the deep-rooted issues that continue to undermine public confidence in the system. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
