Court Users Sensitized On Judiciary Innovations at Masindi Chief Magistrates Court
Court users at Masindi Chief Magistrates Court have been sensitized on judicial processes and innovations aimed at improving access to justice and expediting the resolution of cases.
The public awareness campaign, conducted this morning by the Registry of Communications and Public Relations, was led by Ms Halimah Kaggwa, Senior Client Service Officer, with support from Judicial Officers at the station.
Opening the session, the Chief Magistrate, HW Gumtwero Justine Olal, encouraged court users to pay close attention and use the information provided to navigate court processes more effectively.
Ms Kaggwa guided participants through the bail and bail refund processes. She advised them to keep their bail documents and original payment receipts safely, provide accurate information when making payments and pay court fees only through authorised banks.
She also cautioned court users against fraud, urging them to deal only with properly identified Judiciary staff and to use the Judiciary Call Centre for inquiries, clarification and feedback on court services.
Judicial Officers at the station sensitised participants on Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms, including mediation, plea bargaining and the Small Claims Procedure.
HW Gumtwero explained that mediation enables parties to resolve civil disputes more quickly and affordably while reducing case backlog and preserving relationships within communities. He assured participants that the Judiciary has independent, trained mediators to facilitate the process.
He also explained that plea bargaining allows an accused person who voluntarily pleads guilty to have their case concluded without undergoing a lengthy trial. The process may result in a negotiated sentence, reduce the time spent on remand and contribute to easing congestion in prisons.
Magistrate HW Edgar Tukahabwe highlighted the Small Claims Procedure, which enables disputes involving claims not exceeding Shs10 million to be resolved, usually within about one month, without the involvement of lawyers. He advised parties to provide all relevant information in writing to facilitate the efficient handling of their claims.
HW Nyipir Fortunate, a Magistrate at the Court explained the matters that are admissible and inadmissible under the procedure, noting that family disputes are excluded. She also clarified that decisions under the Small Claims Procedure cannot be appealed, although an aggrieved party may apply for a review.
During an interactive question-and-answer session, court users raised concerns about delays in concluding cases, particularly land disputes. Some alleged that prolonged proceedings occasionally enabled land to be sold or wrongfully taken through irregular dealings involving court officials.
Other concerns included alleged police involvement in debt collection in civil matters and perceptions that some Judicial Officers and court staff favour wealthy litigants. A participant also sought clarification on the liability of a guarantor under the Small Claims Procedure where the principal debtor cannot be traced.
The Judicial Officers responded to the concerns and guided participants on the appropriate channels for seeking redress. Several court users commended the Magistrates and court staff for the services provided and the knowledge shared.
Information, education and communication materials explaining court processes and how to access judicial services were distributed during the exercise.
The campaign enabled court users to better understand available justice mechanisms while providing a platform for them to share their experiences and concerns directly with Judiciary officials.
Posted 2nd, September 2026
