Government Creates 70 New Courts
In a move to bring judicial services closer to the Ugandans, the government through the Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister, Hon. Rtd Maj Gen. Kahinda Otafire issued out a statutory instrument that has seen the creation of about 70 more magistrate courts and magisterial areas throughout the country.
In the statutory instrument 2017 issued out by the minister, Magistrates courts have risen to slightly over 430 magistrates courts across the country from about 368 courts.
"In exercise of the powers conferred upon the minister by Section 2 and 3 of the Magistrates Court Act and in consultation with the Chief Justice, this Instrument is made on the 13th day of September 2016." reads in part Hon. Otafire' s Instrument.
The magisterial areas that have been mainly designated into districts have also been increased to 82 from 38.
Kampala metropolitan area has had seven more Magistrate courts created at Kabalagala, Ggaba, Namuwongo, Zaana, Kasubi, Nateete, Ndeeba and Rubaga.
His Worship Erias Kisawuzi, the Public Relations Officer of the Judiciary said the idea is to have a Chief Magistrate in every district and a Grade One Magistrate in every sub county of the country in a bid to bring justice services closer to the people.
"The magisterial areas are now 82 and the total districts are 112.This means that we are about there. Our target is to have a magistrate Grade One in every sub County and a Chief Magistrate in every district," H/W Kisawuzi said.
The newly gazetted magisterial areas and magisterial courts
Posted 3rd, March 2017
