Criminal justice reform advocates in Uganda are intensifying calls for the country to move away from retributive justice and adopt a more rehabilitative approach, with a particular focus on abolishing the death penalty.

During an event held at the offices of Penal Reform International (PRI) in Muyenga, Kampala, stakeholders gathered to mark the 23rd World Day Against the Death Penalty and to launch an Information Pack on Alternatives to the Death Penalty.

 The event brought together legal experts, civil society representatives, and human rights advocates, all calling for more humane and sustainable alternatives to capital punishment.

Justice Elizabeth Jane Alividza, President of the International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ) Uganda Chapter, highlighted the critical role of women judges in advocating for justice reforms and supporting vulnerable communities affected by punitive legal systems.

Doreen N. Kyazze, PRI’s regional director, pointed out that while executions by civilian courts had declined, military courts continued to impose the death penalty.

She raised concerns about the risk of wrongful executions, attributing this to systemic challenges such as inadequate legal aid and weak forensic capacity.

Deborah Kugonza, PRI’s Program Coordinator, explained that the newly launched Information Pack provides practical guidance for policymakers and practitioners seeking to implement alternatives to the death penalty.

She said the resource is aimed at supporting reforms that uphold human rights and prioritize rehabilitation over punishment.

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