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MPS criticized the Judiciary over its handling of bail applications, accusing judicial officers of unnecessary delays and excessive bail fees. (Photo: Uganda Prisons)
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PARLIAMENT – Members of Parliament on the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee have strongly criticized the Judiciary over its handling of bail applications, accusing judicial officers of unnecessary delays and excessive bail fees. The MPs, led by Abdu Katuntu (Bugweri County) and Medard Ssegoona (Busiro East), expressed their frustration during a meeting with Judiciary officials who had appeared to present their 2025/26 Ministerial Policy Statement. The lawmakers questioned whether some judicial officers deserved the titles "Worships" and "Lordships," arguing that their actions were riddled with injustices. Ssegoona particularly condemned the practice of adjourning bail hearings for weeks, calling it a violation of constitutional rights.
"You adjourn a bail application. What is so novel in a bail ruling? Someone tells you, 'I will hear your bail application two or three weeks from today.' You are defeating the Constitution because every innocent person is entitled to freedom unless proven otherwise," Ssegoona stated.
Judiciary warned against public backlash
The MPs warned that the growing public frustration with the Judiciary could lead to violent protests, similar to those witnessed in Kenya where citizens burned government buildings.
"Just next door in Kenya, people burned their Parliament. We do not want Ugandans to burn our courts. Once the dignity of the court is questioned and shaken, we are in trouble because people will resort to mob justice," Ssegoona warned.
The legislators also criticized the Judiciary's decision to write to the Commissioner of Prisons, Johnson Byabashaija, requesting a list of inmates on remand without trial. Ssegoona questioned why the Judiciary seemed to have lost track of suspects it had itself remanded.
"Before you request information from the Commissioner General, you are the ones who remanded these people. You should know who you remanded and when they are due back in court. How can someone be in prison for a year without your knowledge?" he asked.
Medard Ssegoona (Parliament Photo)
Bail fees criticized as a "Money-Making Venture"
Katuntu and Ssegoona also condemned the high costs associated with bail, arguing that it had been "vulgarized and monetized," making it inaccessible to ordinary Ugandans.
"Why is money the biggest factor in granting bail? Why don't we think of other ways to ensure court attendance instead of making it all about money? Bail is about ensuring one appears in court, but now it has been turned into a financial burden," Katuntu lamented.
The MPs further ridiculed judicial officers who postpone bail hearings for weeks, questioning their competence.
"This is madness. It is not professional. It is not legal. It is not common sense. Make a decision—grant or deny bail—but do not adjourn for weeks. And yet we still call you 'Justices' and 'Worships'?" Katuntu exclaimed.
Abdul Katuntu (Parliament Picture)
Judiciary responds, apologizes for failures
In response, Pius Bigirimana, Secretary to the Judiciary, issued an apology for the system’s shortcomings, acknowledging the MPs’ concerns.
"I want to take this opportunity to apologize on behalf of the Judiciary for some of the shortcomings that have been experienced. Some of them are systemic, while others are individual failings. We are working on addressing these issues both in human resources and in our systems," Bigirimana said.
However, he defended the monetization of bail, stating that it remains the only viable option for ensuring court attendance. "For now, that is the system in place. But we are open to new ideas and proposals on how to improve it," he noted.
Bigirimana
Call for legislative action on bail
Katuntu proposed enacting an independent law on bail applications, arguing that guidelines alone are insufficient. "We should consider moving away from guidelines and enacting substantive legislation that compels judicial officers to exercise discretion properly. If we face a problem that can only be solved by law, then we should take that step," he suggested.
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