On the 20th of February 2025, the Mobile Courts pilot project was launched in Lusaka Central Correctional Facility in Lusaka. The Mobile Courts pilot project is designed to tackle the pressing issue of inmate overpopulation in Zambia’s correctional facilities and seeks to bring the courts directly to those who desperately need access to justice. UP Zambia is implementing the pilot project in partnership with Prisoner’s Future Foundation (PFF) and in collaboration with Zambia’s key justice institutions – The Judiciary, National Prosecutions Authority (NPA), Zambia Correctional Service (ZCS), and Legal Aid Board (LAB). The Initiative is receiving financial support from the Irish Government.
During the launch, court sessions were held inside Lusaka Central Correctional Facility presided over by Hon Davies Chibwili and Hon Chanda. Among the six cases that were addressed, five inmates were granted long-awaited dates for court appearances another received their sentence for a term nearly equivalent to the time already spent in custody.
Hon Davies Chibwili presiding a Mobile Courts session.
Speaking at the launch, Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Gilbert A. Phiri, SC, emphasized the importance of the Mobile Court pilot project, stating, “The mobile courts model provides a timely response to prison overcrowding by bringing justice closer to inmates and mitigating unnecessary over-detention.”
He further explained that by conducting court hearings within correctional facilities, straightforward matters such as bail applications and setting court dates can be handled efficiently, significantly reducing unnecessary detention.
From left to right: Director of Public Prosecution Gilbert.A Phiri, SC, Zambia Correctional Service Deputy Commissioner Mulenga Mweemba and Judge-in-Charge of the High Court Hon Justice Charles Zulu.
Hon. Mr. Justice Charles Zulu, Judge-in-Charge of the High Court, highlighted the judiciary’s commitment to justice accessibility, stating, “The concept of Mobile Courts aligns with the Judiciary of Zambia’s mandate and vision a just and accountable judiciary guaranteeing justice for all.”
Director of the Legal Aid Board (LAB), Humphrey Mweemba, described the introduction of Mobile Courts as a progressive and transformative step, addressing key challenges outlined in the 2023 Prison Audit.
From left to right: Zambia Correctional Service Deputy Commissioner Mulenga Mweemba, Director of Public Prosecution Gilbert.A Phiri, SC, Director Legal Aid Board Humphery Mweemba Ambassador Embassy of Ireland Brongh Carr, and Judge-in-Charge of the High Court Hon Justice Charles Zulu attending the first Mobile Court Session.
At the same event, UP Zambia Executive Director shared the project’s goal,” Our collective aim for the one-year pilot is to ensure that 1,000 men, women, and children across Lusaka, Central, and Copperbelt provinces have their cases heard through mobile courts.”
UP Zambia Executive Director Sara Larios
The Ambassador of the Embassy of Ireland Bronagh Carr expressed her satisfaction with UP Zambia leading efforts in Lusaka and Prisoners Future Foundation (PFF) providing support in Kabwe and the Copperbelt, ensuring the legal, technical, and logistical aspects of the pilot project are effectively managed.
Ambassador Embassy of Ireland Brongh Carr
ZCS Deputy Commissioner Mulenga Mweemba noted that many inmates experience mental and emotional distress due to the uncertainty surrounding their cases. The Mobile Courts will help alleviate these concerns by providing timely access to judicial processes.
An inmate at Lusaka Central Female Correctional Facility expressed optimism, stating that the pilot project will expedite trials and resolve delayed cases, making courts more accessible to inmates.
The launch was attended by key stakeholders, including representatives from the Judiciary, National Prosecution Authority (NPA), Legal Aid Board (LAB), Zambia Correctional Service (ZCS), Embassy of Ireland, Irish Rule of Law International, Undikumbukire Project Zambia (UP Zambia), and Prisoners Future Foundation (PFF).
The Mobile Courts pilot project is financially supported by the Irish Rule of Law International and implemented by key justice government institutions with supporting UP Zambia and PFF.