Justice Irene Mulyagonja, Chairperson of the Uganda Law Council, emphasized the importance of prioritizing mental health within the justice system. She noted that the Judiciary’s current handling of individuals with mental health issues is inadequate and urged fellow judges to familiarize themselves with the Mental Health Act of 2018 to address this gap.
Mulyagonja expressed her concerns at the 26th Judges Conference, which marked the beginning of the new law year. The conference, attended by prominent figures including Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Nobert Mao, also highlighted the need for improved juvenile justice.
To achieve this, the Judiciary plans to collaborate with remand homes to hold court sessions on their premises, thereby enhancing access to justice for children. Deputy Chief Justice Richard Buteera confirmed that the necessary arrangements have been made to facilitate this initiative.