DCJ on the Role of Court of Appeal
Deputy Chief Justice - Hon. Justice Richard Buteera
On Tuesday November 23, 2021, the Deputy Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Richard Buteera, made a presentation on the role of the Court of appeal/ Constitutional Court in the Administration of Justice and the Concept of Jurisdiction at the Mestil Hotel in Kampala.
The presentation was made during a breakout session at the ongoing induction of new Justices of the Court. The DCJ who is also the head of the Court of Appeal reassured the participants that they will be able to execute their constitutional mandate effectively and efficiently when they appreciate the role and jurisdiction of the Court.
He further took them through the laws under which the Court is established noting that it was primarily created to hear and determine appeals from the High Court and statutory tribunals such as the Industrial Court.
"These appeals could be Civil or Criminal in nature. The Court is constituted into a Constitutional Court when it sits to determine Constitutional cases," he said.
On matters of a single justice, the Deputy Chief Justice said that the authority of a single Justice of Appeal is stipulated under Section 12 of the Judicature Act (Cap 13) Laws of Uganda. Stressing that the hearing of applications by a single Justice are also provided for by Rules53, 54 and 55 of the Rules of Court.
On bail Applications, DCJ Hon. Justice Buteera said that for the Court of Appeal to entertain and determine a bail application for a matter pending before the High Court would be erroneous in his view. "There is no legal provision for exercise of that power," he said.
Hon. Justice Fredrick Egonda-Ntende later took them through Preparation, Collegiality and Teamwork for Effective Hearing and Conclusion of Appeals.
Posted 23rd, November 2021
