A Visit to Uganda | A report by Lord Michael Briggs

When a Supreme Court Justice Steps Inside: Lord Briggs’ Unforgettable Visit to Uganda’s Prisons

In April 2025, Lord Michael Briggs—UK Supreme Court Justice and advisor to Justice Defenders—joined us for an immersive visit to Uganda. What he witnessed was more than a model of community capacity building; it was a rare and radical coming together of unlikely allies.

In his report, A Visit to Uganda, Lord Briggs shares what happens when judges and prisoners, prison officers and formerly incarcerated leaders sit side by side to pursue justice and grow in love for one another, defying all expectations. Inside Luzira’s prison walls, he met incarcerated paralegals and lawyers who are preparing court submissions, offering legal advice, and transforming their lives and the justice system from within.

“We came with an expectation that we would be bringing loving solidarity to a group who were likely to be without hope or joy, but how wrong we were. We were met by a wave of love and affection… We will not forget them.”
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— Lord Michael Briggs, UK Supreme Court Justice

This visit was a powerful manifestation of what we call convening—bringing together unlikely allies to foster transformational relationships and bring hope in unexpected ways. It affirms what we believe at our core: when people meet across divides, share stories, and truly see each other, they recognise our shared humanity and begin to reimagine justice.

👉 Read Lord Briggs’ full report

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Convene with us.
Justice Defenders hosts immersive journeys to Kenya and Uganda, where global leaders and grassroots defenders meet at the frontlines of justice. These are not trips of charity, but of solidarity—creating space for deep reflection, courageous storytelling, and transformative connection.

📩 Get in touch: convene@justice-defenders.org