Criminal Justice System Reforms and Pre-Trial Detention in Uganda: An Empirical Analysis

Uganda's criminal justice system has faced challenges in reducing pre-trial detention, leading to legal and human rights concerns. A mixed-methods approach was employed, including a review of existing literature and interviews with stakeholders from various sectors involved in the criminal justice process. Findings indicate that while some reforms have led to shorter detention periods for certain cases, there is still significant room for improvement, particularly in enforcing compliance across different levels of the system. The empirical analysis suggests that further targeted interventions and monitoring mechanisms are needed to effectively reduce pre-trial detention durations and improve overall justice outcomes. Stakeholders should collaborate more closely on implementing reforms consistently and ensuring their enforcement, with a focus on training for judges and prosecutors in applying new protocols.