The Deputy Chief Justice, Justice Richard Buteera, flagged off the Court of Appeal Criminal Appeals session at Mbale High Court,
Earlier, the Deputy Chief Justice, Justice Richard Buteera, flagged off the Court of Appeal Criminal Appeals session at Mbale High Court, where 26 cases will be heard. The session is scheduled to run from today, March 10, to Wednesday, March 12, 2025.
It will be presided over by Lady Justice Irene Mulyagonja, Lady Justice Margaret Tibulya, and Justice Moses Kazibwe Kawumi.
The cause list signed by the Court's Deputy Registrar, HW Lillian Bucyana, indicates that out of the26 appeals scheduled for hearing, Murder convictions has the highest number of appeals with 11 cases.
Defilement follows with 10 cases, murder and aggravated robbery (02), Rape (02), while grievous harm has one appeal.
Speaking during a stakeholders' meeting, the DCJ acknowledged the backlog at the Court of Appeal and emphasized ongoing efforts to address this challenge. He highlighted that increasing the number of justices will help speed up case resolution, noting that the Court recently received eight new justices, a move aimed at improving efficiency.
He further revealed plans to expand the Court of Appeal by establishing branches across the country, starting with Gulu and Mbarara this financial year.
Addressing concerns about the delayed construction of the Court of Appeal in Mbale despite land being allocated, he assured stakeholders that the land will be utilized once planning and funding are finalized. He thanked them for their support and reiterated that once infrastructure is in place, services will significantly improve.
On the request for a Court of Appeal registry at Mbale High Court, he encouraged advocates to utilize the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS) for online case filing, acknowledging the need to train advocates on how to use the System.
Emphasizing the role of technology, the DCJ underscored the benefits of ECCMIS, which allows lawyers to file cases remotely without traveling to Kampala, and encouraged them to embrace it to enhance efficiency.
Regarding civil sessions, he noted that the Court of Appeal began holding them last year, with two sessions already conducted in Gulu and Mbarara. He announced that Mbale will also have a civil session, further improving access to justice.
Justice Buteera commended the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and advocates for their commitment to handling cases and ensuring timely filing of pleadings, which allows justices to read files in advance and speeds up hearings.
While increasing the number of justices is crucial, he stressed the importance of embracing alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods, such as plea bargaining and mediation, in reducing case backlog. He highlighted that plea bargaining helps resolve cases faster, benefiting both the accused and victims' families, noting that in countries like the United States, about 90% of criminal cases are settled through plea bargaining.
For civil cases, the DCJ emphasized Mediation as an effective approach, revealing that in 2024, the Court of Appeal successfully disposed of about 100 civil cases through this method. He also mentioned that the Judiciary has trained Judges, retired judges, and lawyers as court-accredited mediators and announced plans for additional training sessions this year.
Lady Justice Margaret Apiny, the Head of Mbale High Court Resident Judge, Mbale High Court Circuit, welcomed the Justices and noted that Mbale has a caseload of 4,007. She thanked stakeholders for their efforts and commended advocates for their professionalism, saying there have been no complaints against them.
Lady Justice Apiny also thanked the Uganda Prisons Service for always providing accurate lists of prisoners.
She noted that the session is timely as it brings justice closer to the people and that the disposal of 26 cases scheduled for the session will be a significant achievement.
Ms. Tumuhaise Rose, representing the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), thanked the Judiciary for rolling out the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS), saying that it has made the filing of submissions easier and faster.
She, however, asked that the DPP be allowed to appeal lenient sentences and also raised concerns about the Court of Appeal reducing sentences of appellants, urging that where they cannot be increased, they should at least be maintained.
In his remarks, Mr. Eddie Nangulu, representing Uganda Law Society, Eastern Uganda, noted that during the last Mbale High Court Open Day, ULS raised several issues that remain unaddressed. These included the need to establish a Court of Appeal registry at Mbale High Court to handle the filing of appeals so that people do not have to travel to Kampala.
He also requested a civil session in Mbale and urged the Court of Appeal to speed up case hearings. He noted that some people spend years in prison waiting for their appeals to be heard, only to be released after completing their sentences without any compensation where their appeals succeed.
Mr. Joseph Otai, representing Uganda Prisons Service, noted ongoing efforts to construct and renovate prisons in the region to handle congestion and improve detention conditions.
In attendance was Justice Lubega Farouq (Resident Judge, Mbale), HW Rukundo Allen Owembabazi (Registrar, Court of Appeal), Deputy Registrars; Dr. Mushabe Alex Karocho (Private Legal Secretary to the DCJ), HW Lillian Bucyana (Court of Appeal).
HW Nankya Nusulah (Ag. Assistant Registrar, Mbale), HW Awidi Suzan (Chief Magistrate, Mbale), and HW Gakyaro Allan (Personal Assistant to the DCJ), among other Judicial Officersfrom the Circuit were present.
They were joined by stakeholders from the Uganda Prisons Service, Uganda Police Force, ODPP, political leaders, and advocates as well as Mr. Cassim Namugali (Mayor, MbaleCity) and Mr. Luke Lokuda (Chief Administrative Officer, Mbale).
The meeting was moderated by HW Waninda Fred K.B. (Deputy Registrar, Mbale High Court)
Posted 10th, March 2025
