(L-R): Hon. Justice Dr. Zeija (Principal Judge) and Hon.Lady Justice Mary Ikit (Moroto High Court Resident)
The Judiciary on May 8, 2023 launched a High Court Circuit in Moroto District with the aim of reducing case backlog and cutting transport costs to Soroti High Court. The Moroto High Court Circuit will now serve the nine districts that make up Karamoja sub-region.
The court will provide easier access to justice for the local communities.
The Court was launched by the Principal Judge, Hon. Justice Dr Flavian Zeija, who said daily hearings of cases will be conducted to reduce the backlog and ensure timely justice.
He said the launch was a fulfilment of the pledge by the Judiciary to ensure that justice is accessible to all.
The Principal Judge said plans are underway to open up another High Court Circuit in Kotido as well as a regional Court of Appeal in Karamoja.
He used the launch to caution Judicial Officers against engaging in any acts of corruption saying anyone found culpable will be prosecuted. He emphasized the need for good customer care to make people feel comfortable while at the court premises.
Hon. Justice Dr. Zeija urged all stakeholders including members of the public to support the new High Court Circuit. He notified court users that all the files that were previously being handled by Soroti High Court have since been transferred to Moroto High Court.
The Director of Public Prosecution, Hon. Lady Justice Jane Abodo, emphasized the need for more High Court Circuits in order to cover the vast sub-region.
She also noted the need to sensitize the communities in Karamoja to understand the meaning of justice.
The Minister of State for Minerals, Hon Peter Lokeris, called upon the people of Karamoja to embrace the Court. Adding that the Court had been set up to handle disputes both of a civil and criminal nature.
He thanked the Judiciary administration for prioritizing the needs of Karamoja sub-region by setting up a High Court that will save them costs and time in traveling to Soroti.
Minister Lokeris said as one of the ways to support the Court, they had allocated land to the Judiciary for the construction of a High Court premises. Currently, the Moroto High Court shares premises with the Chief Magistrate's Court.
Hon.Lady Justice Mary Ikit, the Moroto High Court Resident, thanked the leaders in Karamoja for availing land for the construction of High Court premises.
She reassured court users that that the court has a zero tolerance policy on corruption.
Adding that the Court promotes Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms such as Mediation and Plea Bargaining.
HW James Mawanda Ereemye who delivered the Chief Registrar's remarks, said the launch was a fulfilment of Judiciary's promise to have more courts.
The Chief Registrar further said that the Judiciary was committed to disciplining errant officers and rewarding the good ones.
The Amudat LCV Chairperson, LC V Joseph Lobot appealed to the Judiciary leadership to consider setting a Chief Magistrates Court in Amudat District as a way of promoting easy access to justice.
To crown the launch, the Principal Judge was dressed in traditional leaders’ regalia as a symbol of respect.
Posted 8th, May 2023
