(L-R): Hon. Justice Kiryabwire, Hon. Justice Richard Buteera, Deputy Chief Justice, Hon. Lady Justice Mulyagonja, Hon. Lady Justice Luswata
The Deputy Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Richard Buteera, flagged off a Criminal Appeals Session at Arua High Court where 31 appeals are going to be handled.
The two-day session will be presided over by Hon. Justice Geoffery Kiryabwire, Lady Justices; Hon. Lady Justice Irene Mulyagonja and Hon. Lady Justice Eva Luswata.
The cause list, signed by the Court's Deputy Registrar, HW Lillian Bucyana, shows that of the 31 appeals to be handled; 15 Murder, 13 Defilement and three Robbery cases to be handled. Thereafter, the Justices will embark on judgment writing.
The DCJ highlighted the need for more Advocates and State Attorneys to improve efficiency and urged legal professionals to study Court of Appeal Judgments available on the Uganda Legal Information Institute (ULII) for continuous improvement.
He urged stakeholders to embrace Mediation and other Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms as a way of expediting resolution of disputes.
The DCJ noted that the Judiciary is committed to resolving case backlog.
Hon. Justice Kiryabwire, who is heading the panel of of Justices in the session, echoed the need for ADR in the resolution of court cases. He noted that Appellate Mediation is taking root in the Court of Appeal and is the way to go.
Hon. Lady Justice Mulyagonja called for the mentoring of young advocates, stressed the importance of professional attire and quality of work.
While Hon. Lady Justice Luswata stressed the importance of following proper plea bargaining procedures to avoid sentences imposed being overturned. She appealed to lawyers to take pro-bono work seriously.
Hon. Lady Justice Luswata urged advocates to ensure that there is improvement in the quality of submissions and ensure that there are proper grounds for appeals.
The Arua High Court Resident Judge, Hon. Justice Acellam Collins expressed gratitude to the DCJ for extending legal services to the Arua High Court Circuit.
He noted that the session was an opportunity to reflect and learn from the past.
Mr. Madira Jimmy, a representative of the Uganda Law Society expressed gratitude to the Court of Appeal for the commitment in addressing backlog and bringing services closer to people.
He highlighted the importance of these sessions for court users and advocates, which relieves them from the inconvenience of travelling to Kampala for such proceedings.
Mr Madira also thanked the Court for availing the necessary materials and communication to those participating inthe session on time.
The meeting was attended by various justice actors from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Uganda Police Force, and advocates, members of the public among others.
In attendance; HW Rukundo Allen Owembabazi (Court of Appeal Ag Registrar), Deputy Registrars; HW Dr. Mushabe Alex Karocho (Private Legal Secretary to the DCJ), HW Bucyana (Court of Appeal), HW Karungi Loe (Arua High Court). Also present; HW Gakyaro Allan (Personal Assistant to the DCJ), and HW Matyama Paul (Ag Chief Magistrate Arua).
Posted 20th, November 2023
