The government has come under scrutiny over persistent congestion in juvenile remand homes and the prolonged detention of children beyond legally recommended periods.
Uganda currently has seven remand homes and one national rehabilitation centre mandated to protect, rehabilitate, and reintegrate juvenile offenders (JOs). However, a recent Auditor General’s report paints a grim picture of the state of these facilities.
According to the report, the remand homes and rehabilitation centres face multiple challenges, including overcrowding, aging infrastructure, inadequate health facilities, limited access to education, and insufficient rehabilitation services.
The audit found that six out of the eight Remand Homes and Rehabilitation Centres (RRCs) were overcrowded, with juvenile populations exceeding their recommended holding capacities. Capacity utilisation ranged from 110 per cent to as high as 229 per cent.
The most affected facilities were Fort Portal and Mbale RRCs, each designed to hold 45 juveniles but currently accommodating far more than their intended capacity.
The report further revealed that none of the eight RRCs had a resident medical practitioner or health personnel, contrary to the Children’s Home Rules, which require every facility to employ a registered nurse as a full-time staff member.
Despite this non-compliance, the Auditor General noted that the centres had adopted informal arrangements with nearby government health facilities, allowing doctors and other medical personnel to visit when required.
“Out of 9,204 juvenile offenders admitted to various RRCs during the period under review, 5,757 lacked Social Inquiry Reports. This delayed court proceedings and led to prolonged stays on remand,” the Auditor General stated.
The absence of Social Inquiry Reports has also complicated the resettlement and reintegration of juveniles upon release, due to limited information about their family and social backgrounds.
In addition, the audit revealed inadequate recreational facilities in most centres. Except for Arua and Kampiringisa, the remaining six remand homes lacked sufficient outdoor playgrounds for activities such as football, volleyball, and basketball, offering only limited indoor games like Ludo.
The report also highlighted violations of statutory remand periods. From a sample of 82 juveniles charged with minor offences, 34 had been detained for more than the legally recommended three months, contrary to Section 94(5) of the Children Act.
Similarly, 20 out of 44 juveniles charged with capital offences had been held on remand for more than six months, exceeding the statutory limit.
The findings have renewed calls for urgent reforms in the management of juvenile justice facilities, including decongestion, improved health services, timely preparation of Social Inquiry Reports, and stricter adherence to the Children Act.
