The high number of suspected juvenile criminals on remand at Kabale Remand Home in Kabale District is worrying leaders.
According to Henry Twinomuhwezi, Assistant Registrar of the Kabale High Court, 604 juveniles have been brought to the remand home from the districts of Kigezi and Ankole regions since it started operations in September 2018. Out of the total, 586 are males.
He stated that in June 2024, six male juveniles were committed to the high court for trial on murder charges. Twinomuhwezi expressed surprise that juveniles who are released often return after committing similar crimes. He noted that these cases reflect a lack of social responsibility in communities. He added that sometimes, hearings are delayed due to the long distances from communities to court.
Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, the State Minister for Gender in charge of Youth and Children, mentioned that the remand home has also processed about 61 cases of juveniles from neighboring countries such as Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), who come to Uganda and influence local children negatively.
Barugahara reported that one Rwandan juvenile was arrested for pouring soap into food at the Grace Village Orphanage in Kabale, with intent to harm children. He also noted that six of the juveniles at Kabale Remand Home have disclosed that they are living with HIV and lack access to medical care.
Barugahara stated that he has urged the court to expedite trials so that these juveniles can be transferred to a facility where they can receive medical attention.
Monica Muhumuza Nzeirwe, Kabale District Senior Probation Officer, remarked that such cases jeopardize the futures of responsible citizens and their families.
Godfrey Nyakahuma, the Kabale Resident District Commissioner, emphasized that it is the responsibility of legislators to enact laws regulating irresponsible childbirth. He also called on parents to be more responsible and to only have children they can adequately care for, in order to reduce such cases.
