By Aggrey Twesigye
The Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI) is set to construct a legal aid clinic at Nyamushekera Prison to help inmates gain the skills needed for self-representation and to strengthen the capacity of prison officers in handling legal matters.
FHRI Executive Director Dr. Livingstone Sewanyana made the announcement on Wednesday in Bushenyi District during a ceremony honoring “Champions for Change” in Greater Bushenyi. The event recognized individuals and institutions that made outstanding contributions to advancing criminal justice reforms in the 2024/2025 period.
Sewanyana revealed that, in addition to the legal aid clinic, FHRI will build the capacity of Police Criminal Investigators and Community Liaison Officers, and will also facilitate hybrid plea-bargaining sessions to expedite justice.
Delivering his keynote address, Hon. Justice Amos Kwizera, the Resident Judge of the Bushenyi High Court Circuit, emphasized that timely access to justice is a fundamental constitutional right. He noted that this right is often violated at different stages—during arrest, detention, court proceedings when trials delay, and within prison facilities where conditions can be unfit.
Justice Kwizera stressed that strengthening justice systems and ensuring timely legal support is essential for protecting the rights of individuals in conflict with the law.
