Patongo High Court opens second plea bargain session to tackle case backlog

17 March 2026, 10:43 am

By Ayiro Golden Vicky

In a renewed effort to reduce case backlog and ease prison congestion, the Patongo High Court in Agago District on Monday, March 16, 2026, commenced its second plea bargain session since the court was established on May 12, 2025.

The session is being presided over by the Resident Judge, Justice Okello George.

According to the session cause list signed by the Acting Assistant Registrar, Betty Ajok, murder cases top the list with 40 files. These are followed by aggravated defilement and rape, each with 20 cases, as well as aggravated robbery and aggravated trafficking in children.

HW further disclosed that the recently launched High Court Circuit is witnessing an increase in interest in plea bargain as more inmates are opting to enter plea bargain. She further noted that as the current session is beginning, her office has already received an additional list from Patongo main prison were over 60 inmates have registered their interest to enter plea bargain.

She further noted that formal plea bargain sessions are usually organized subject to funding availability.

However, the Resident Judge for Patongo High Court has embraced a proactive people centered approach in a sense that plea bargain sessions are held whenever inmates register their interest. The session is scheduled to run for about 3 weeks, from the March 16, 2026 to the April 2, 2026.