(L-R): Hon. Lady Joyce Kavuma (Senior Resident Judge - Mbarara High Court) , Hon. Justice Buteera (Deputy Chief Justice) (standing)
On Friday, April 28, 2023 court users thronged Kiruhura Chief Magistrate's Court to interface with different court officials on different aspects in the administration of justice during the Court's Open Day.
The Day was presided over by the Deputy Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Richard Buteera, with Mbarara Resident Judges, Hon. Lady Justice Joyce Kavuma and Hon. Justice Allan Nshimye in tow.
The Deputy Chief Justice (DCJ) noted that the Judiciary had embarked on a transformational agenda to enhance access to justice for all by improving physical access to courts.
In response to requests to create a High Court Circuit in Kiruhura, the DCJ said there was a taskforce on the reorganization and re-gazettement of courts would consult different stakeholders to gauge the suitability of the area.
If granted, the High Court will serve the districts of Ibanda, Kiruhura, and Kazo, saving them the trouble of traveling to Mbarara to access High Court services.
Regarding backlog, the DCJ said filling of manpower gaps had been embarked on as well as increasing the number of Judicial Officers at all court levels.
This, he said, would see a Court of Appeal at the regional level and a High Court at the sub-regional level. If this goes according to plan, each City/district will have a Chief Magistrate or more depending on the workload while each County will have at least a Magistrate Grade One. "When these numbers are achieved, there will be a significant decrease in case backlog," he said.
The DCJ also urged the public to always cooperate with the Police and provide witnesses in time so that their cases are handled in a timely manner. This he said in response to cattle theft cases where the public claimed the culprits are usually given bail, only to continue with the same vice.
He further urged the public to write wills to prevent family property disputes and encouraged them (public) to read the Succession Act, as amended, for guidance on how this can be done.
The Chief Registrar, HW Sarah Langa Siu, commended the Ag Chief Magistrate Kiruhura, HW Akankwasa Edward Kabayo, and his team for a job well done in the magisterial area.
She advised the public to ensure that all their court fees are paid in the banks. Adding that where the same is paid at Court, it should be paid to the cashier and a receipt obtained.
Adding that the amount of money to be paid for bail is only determined by the Judicial Officers hearing the cases and that it is also paid in the bank and not to individuals.
To address the concerns expressed by the public about court bailiffs, the Chief Registrar explained the circumstances in which a court bailiff commits a crime while performing his duties and urged the public to always take their concerns about court bailiffs to HW Timothy Lumunye, Secretary, Court Bailiffs Licensing and Disciplinary Committee, who sits at the Judiciary headquarters.
In response to a request for a remand home in Kiruhura, HW Langa reassured the public that while the lack of remand homes was a national concern, it was being addressed under the Administration of Justice Programme, where the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, that is in charge of establishing remand homes, is a member.
The Nyabushozi County Member of Parliament, Hon Wilson Kajwengye, commended the Kiruhura Magisterial Area magistrates for their hard work.
He also encouraged the Judicial Officers to promote Small Claims Procedure, which he said was an excellent initiative by the Judiciary for delivering justice.
Hon Kajwengye however, decried the presence of court brokers, who he said cause confusion in the courts, among court users and that they were the cause of backlog. He also highlighted the need of more State Attorneys.
HW Akankwasa Edward Kabayo, the Ag Chief Magistrate of Kiruhura, get feedback from the public and also to sensitize them about delivery of justice.
The head of Mbarara High Court Circuit, Hon. Lady Justice Kavuma thanked the stakeholders for loving their court and for turning up in large numbers.
Posted 28th, April 2023
