Justice Defenders
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Founded Date January 1, 1900
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Sectors Administration
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Company Description
Justice Defenders—formerly known as the African Prisons Project (APP)—is an international human rights organization and registered charity operating within conflict-with-law communities. Founded in 2007 by British activist Alexander McLean, the organization has its Uganda country office located at Plot 16 Kome Crescent, Port Bell in Luzira, Kampala. The movement focuses on shifting power within the criminal justice system by equipping incarcerated individuals and prison staff to become legal advocates.
The organization’s core model centers around providing legal education, paralegal training, and accredited law degrees to prison inmates and officers side by side. By establishing structured law practices inside correctional facilities, the firm bridges the massive justice gap where many accused persons cannot afford private attorneys. In partnership with global academic bodies like the University of London, they facilitate professional training that enables qualified individuals to manage legal awareness clinics, run virtual court sessions, and offer free services to vulnerable prisoners.
The organization’s work has driven historic legal reforms and successfully secured the release of thousands of individuals across East Africa. A prominent milestone in Uganda includes the landmark case of Susan Kigula and 417 Others vs. Attorney General, where a graduate of their program successfully petitioned the Supreme Court to abolish mandatory death sentences for murder and armed robbery. Through active project partnerships with institutions like the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), the group systematically removes procedural barriers to ensure a more equitable and fair trial delivery system.