Inmates at Kigo Prison have raised concerns about the Appeal Court, condemning it for conducting discriminatory trials. The inmates argue that the court’s handling of their appeals has been unfair and inconsistent.
In recent years, many inmates at Kigo Prison have sought justice through the appeal process, hoping for a fair and impartial review of their cases.
The prisoners made this claim while presenting their memorandum to the Uganda Human Rights Commission and they expressed concern over the delays in hearing their appeals.
A case in point was that of Henry Magala a death row inmate of Luzira prison who was sentenced to death 17 years back but still waiting for the appeal court to hear his appeal case , they noted.
However, they claim that their expectations have not been met, and they feel the appeal court has failed in providing a just verdict. According to the inmates, the appeal court has been inconsistent in its treatment of cases. They believe that certain individuals receive preferential treatment, while others are subjected to prolonged delays and unfairly adjudicated proceedings.
In addition to the discriminatory nature of the trials, the inmates also expressed their dissatisfaction with the lack of transparency in the appeal process. They argued that there was limited access to information about their cases, hindering their ability to prepare and present a strong defense.
Furthermore, they claim that their legal representation is often inadequate and under-resourced. The inmates assert that justice should not be contingent on one’s social status or economic background.
They emphasize the importance of a fair and unbiased judicial system that upholds the rule of law and protects the rights of all individuals.
In light of these concerns, the inmates are calling for urgent reforms to ensure that the appeal court conducts trials in a fair and consistent manner.
They urge authorities to address the issues of discrimination, transparency, and access to legal representation.
It is crucial that all individuals, regardless of their circumstances, have confidence in the judicial system and trust that their cases will be handled fairly. Only with a just and equitable legal process can there be true justice for all.