DPP advises prisoners to plead guilty

She asked the inmates to form human rights committees to help them submit their problems to the relevant judicial authorities in case of mismanagement of their cases and to have timely appeals.

The deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Ms Damali Lwanga, has told prisoners to plead guilty to offences they have committed.

She said pleading not guilty wastes time and government resources through long trials.

Ms Lwanga was on Wednesday in Ndorwa Prison in Kabale Town sensitising prisoners on their rights.

“Always plead guilty if you are sure that you committed the offence so that you have a less punishment,” she said.

She asked the inmates to form human rights committees to help them submit their problems to the relevant judicial authorities in case of mismanagement of their cases and to have timely appeals.

Some inmates said they were forced to sign police documents whose contents they did not understand.
Ms Lwanga said: “Do not sign any confessions at the police station unless you know the contents of the whole document. You have a right to appeal in case you feel the judgment against you is not fair.”

City lawyer Henry Kunya said in criminal law, the burden of proof is on the prosecution but once a suspect decides to enters a plea of guilt, he/she would have helped prosecution to discharge its burden.

He said the Magistrates Court Act provides for a suspect to enter their own plea of guilt but said: “..the question of getting a lesser punishment is not a guarantee; it’s upon the judge/magistrate.”