The Principal Judge, Hon. Justice Dr Flavian Zeija (L) with Hon. Justice Batema(Resident Judge, Iganga) at the formal launch of Iganga High Court
The Principal Judge, Hon. Justice Dr Flavian Zeija, said the Judiciary is committed to taking High Court services nearer to the people.
This, he said, at the launch of the newly operationalized Iganga High Court Circuit on February 13, 2023.
"The Judiciary wants to make it very convenient for our people to access judicial services at all levels of the hierarchy of Courts. In addition to the Iganga High Court Circuit, we have also recently operationalized new High Court Circuits at Hoima, Rukungiri, Moroto, Tororo, and Luwero," he said.
He urged the Resident Judge and his team to serve the people. "...I'm mindful that the new circuit has some challenges but these challenges will surely be addressed depending on our resource envelope. As of now, let us serve our people well within the available resources."
To improve efficiency in the courts, the Principal Judge called for trial and hearing date certainty, efficiency and management of court resources and culture of service and customer care.
Fulfilment of Promise
The Chief Registrar, HW Sarah Langa Siu said the launch was a fulfilment of the promise made by the Judiciary to take services closer to the people they serve.
Adding that the Judiciary aims at ensuring that every district has a Chief Magistrate and a Magistrate Grade I in every county.
On the issue of staffing gaps, the Chief Registrar reassured court users that plans are underway to address them. Adding that the existing Judicial Officers are committed to handle the cases before court.
She called upon the Staff at the Court to stick to the values of Judiciary by serving with professionalism and integrity.
To the court users, she urged them to embrace reforms such as Mediation, Plea Bargaining and Small Claims Procedure.
She appealed to members of the public to report and expose bush lawyers because they damage the names and reputation of Judicial Officers.
Management of Cases
The Iganga Resident Judge, Hon. Justice David Batema expressed gratitude for being given the opportunity to serve in Busoga. He, however, appealed to the litigants to respect his privacy by not visiting his home seeking for intervention on matters before court.
Hon. Justice Batema noted that Sexual and Gender Based Violence offences are most prevalent in the Circuit. He also urged Resident District Commissioners to always refer land cases to courts of law for proper management.
The Jinja Senior Resident Judge, Hon. Lady Justice Dr Winifred Nabisinde, under whose jurisdiction Iganga High Court was curved, said she had transferred to Iganga all the cases that arise from there save for those that are in advanced stages.
Land for The High Court
The Iganga LC5, Ezra Gabula described the High Court in Iganga as a "tremendous achievement for the area". He added the Iganga District Local Council had given the Judiciary land for the construction of a High Court.
The Principal Judge thanked the district council for the support rendered to the court and for the land donation.
The event was crowned with the Principal Judge officially handing over of the court registers and seal to the Resident Judge.
The open day was held under the theme; Strategies and Mechanisms for Improving Physical Access to Justice.
Posted 13th, February 2023
