This table provides metadata for the actual indicator available from Uganda statistics closest to the corresponding global SDG indicator. Please note that even when the global SDG indicator is fully available from Ugandan statistics, this table should be consulted for information on national methodology and other Ugandan-specific metadata information.
| Goal |
Goal 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. |
|---|---|
| Target |
Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all |
| Indicator |
16.3.2. Unsentenced detainees as a proportion of overall prison population authorities or other officially recognized conflict resolution mechanisms. |
| Metadata update |
November 2021 |
| Related indicators |
Indicator 16.6 |
| Data reporter |
Uganda Prisons Service (UPS) |
| Organisation |
Uganda Prisons Service (UPS) |
| Contact person(s) |
Ssempungu Apollo |
| Contact organisation unit |
Policy and Planning Unit |
| Contact person function |
Statistician |
| Contact phone |
+256 774 892481 |
| Contact mail |
P.O Box 7182, Kampala |
| Contact email | |
| Definition and concepts |
Definition: The total number of persons held in detentions who have not yet been sentenced, as a percentage of the total number of persons held in detention, on a specified date. Concepts: ‘Sentenced’ refers to persons subject to criminal proceedings who have received a decision from a competent authority regarding their conviction or acquittal. For the purposes of the indicator, persons who have received a ‘non final’ decision (such as where a conviction is subject to appeal) are considered to be ‘sentenced’. |
| Unit of measure |
Percent |
| Classifications |
ICCS (International Classification on Crimes for Statistical Purposes 2016) |
| Data sources |
Administrative records from Uganda Prisons Service(UPS) |
| Data collection method |
Information is recorded during the process of service provision. Administrative – data collected from station captured in Prisons Form (PF 30) is incorporated into a soft copy for all the stations, checked and verified (data cleaning). The variables included on the form are; i.
|
| Data collection calendar |
Monthly (Last day of the month) |
| Data release calendar |
Quarterly(Last day of the Quarter) |
| Data providers |
Uganda Prisons Services |
| Data compilers |
Uganda Prisons Services |
| Institutional mandate |
UPS is to provide a safe, secure and humane custody of prisoners and rehabilitation of offenders into law abiding and productive citizens |
| Rationale |
The indicator tracks the trend at which people are incarcerated in custody pending trial by competent courts of law. This, in-turn, is based on aspects of the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. From a development perspective, extensive use of pre-sentence detention when not necessary for reasons such as the prevention of absconding, the protection of victims or witnesses, or the prevention of the commission of further offences, can divert criminal justice system resources, and exert financial and unemployment burdens on the accused and his or her family. Measuring the relative extent to which pre-sentence detention is used can provide the evidence to assist countries in lowering such burdens and ensuring its proportionate use. |
| Comment and limitations |
The statistics exclude Juvenile detainees/Prisoners. Juveniles are in custody of Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development limited automation in the production process may affect the timeliness of the production of the indicator. |
| Method of computation |
The total number of unsentenced persons held in detention divided by the total number of persons held in detention, on a specified date |
| Validation |
Quarterly data validation and on-call with the station contact Focal person in case of discrepancies. |
| Methods and guidance available to countries for the compilation of the data at the national level |
The methods and guidance are available for the compilation of the data such as the UBOS guidelines for the production of statistics, the metadata for National Standard Indicators |
| Quality management |
Data is collected by designated officers right away from the prison units to the regions and finally at the center where it is processed and reported. Use of standard forms (PF-30) for collecting data. The report is approved by Senior officers at Top management level. |
| Quality assurance |
Periodic data validation and verification is done through field visits to ascertain the quality of the data collected. |
| Quality assessment |
Statistical Committee does the assessment to ascertain the quality of the data produced on a regular basis. |
| Data availability and disaggregation |
Data Availability: Time periods: 2015-2020 Disaggregation: Age, sex, length of pre-trial (unsentenced), detention offences, Disability, Geographical location, Nationality |
| Comparability/deviation from international standards |
No deviations |
| References and Documentation |
Periodic statistical reports (Quarterly and Annual) Uganda Prisons Annual Statistical Abstracts www.prisons.go.ug |
| Metadata last updated | Feb 12, 2026 |