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DCJ Monitors Progress of the National Court Case Census at ACD and ICD

The Deputy Chief Justice, Justice Richard Buteera, spent the better part of the day inspecting different courts on Day I of the Court Case Census to supervise the exercise.

He started off at the Court of Appeal where he, together with his technical team, supervised the exercise at the Civil, Criminal, Constitutional and Mediation Registries.

Thereafter, he proceeded to Plot 5,where he interacted with the teams at Family, Anti-Corruption and International Crimes Division.

Anti-Corruption Division

At the Anti-Corruption Division, Justice Lawrence Gidudu, the Head of the Division, and HW Talisuna Patrick, the Acting Assistant Registrar, welcomed the DCJ and his team. Justice Gidudu provided updates on how the Division was using ECCMIS to track pending cases, including miscellaneous applications, session cases, and criminal appeals. 

Justice Gidudu noted that the Court has few cases, 281 cases, however they are complex and required significant attention. He also reported that some of the pending cases at the Division involved asset recoveries and compensation orders. He noted that execution of some cases had stalled due to a previous lack of a substantive registrar and the heavy workload of the Chief Magistrate. However, with the registrar now in place, the Division had resumed issuing notices to ensure execution and recovery of funds. The Head expressed confidence that these matters would be concluded soon.

Justice Gidudu emphasized that all pending cases were fully documented and aligned with the physical files in the registry. He explained that they were categorizing reports based on case types to ensure clarity and efficiency. He added that the Division was well-acquainted with each case and the accused persons involved, which helped in managing the workload effectively.

The Judge reassured the Deputy Chief Justice that the Division's digital system was in order and that they could generate detailed reports on any case category promptly. He expressed optimism that the census would run smoothly, with no challenges anticipated.

The DCJ emphasized the importance of accurate data collection during the National Court Census. He noted that all cases pending in the system should correspond to physical files and called for prompt action to allocate any unassigned cases.

He inquired about any challenges in starting the census and was reassured that the process was smooth and that data was up to date.

Justice Buteera also stressed the need for reports to reflect the current status of cases and directed the team to ensure that physical files matched those in the system. He commended the readiness of the team and requested a detailed report by the end of the day to track progress effectively.

International Crimes Division

Later, the DCJ visited the International Crimes Division (ICD), where he was welcomed by the Division's Head, Justice Dr. Andrew Bashaija, and Deputy Registrar, HW Hatanga Juliet Harty. 

The Deputy Registrar explained the challenges with the ECCMIS system, especially in file allocation. She mentioned that the system routes cases to the registrar, which complicates the process because only the head of the division is allowed to assign cases as per the Court’s Rules. She proposed creating a program that would let the Head of Division handle file allocation directly, to make the process smoother.

She also raised concerns about how the system affects accurate statistics, particularly for panel cases. The system often misrepresents or leaves out the contributions of judges in reports. Other problems included the need for more ECCMIS training for staff and judges, as lack of technical knowledge causes delays.

The Deputy Registrar also reported issues like unprotected archived records, missing files, and delays in obtaining resources such as a heavy-duty security system and interpretation equipment. These problems have slowed case progress, especially in trials with multiple languages or sensitive evidence. She emphasized that solving these issues would improve efficiency, data accuracy, and the overall functioning of the division while ensuring compliance with legal and security standards.

He also mentioned problems with managing panel cases, which involve judges from other Divisions, leading to inaccuracies in statistical reporting. For instance, cases handled by multiple judges only show one name, affecting quarterly reports. He also noted the need for more ECCMIS training, as many staff members and judges lack the technical skills needed.

On the issue of allocation, the DCJ proposed that the head of Division should give allocation instructions, and the registrar should follow them to avoid delays. He encouraged the team to work together to resolve technical problems while a permanent solution is being developed.

The DCJ acknowledged the technical challenges, especially with judges from other Divisions and the impact on case statistics. He suggested that the ICT team help in solving these problems while handling cases in the meantime.

The discussion also covered the difficulty of handling complex cases that require simultaneous interpretation. 

The Court Case Census will continue tomorrow in all courts countrywide. 

Posted 13th, January 2025
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