Participants at the launch of Small Claims
At least five new courts, Yumbe, Amuru, Nwoya, Kaabong, and Patongo have joined the list of courts using Small Claims Procedure (SCP) bringing the number to 114 courts.
Court of Appeal's Justice and Chairperson of the SCP Implementation Committee, Hon. Justice Geoffrey Kiryabwire presided over the launches at Amuru, Nwoya and Patongo where SCP Ag Assistant Registrar, HW Lillian Bucyana, participated.
In Amuru, Hon. Justice Kiryabwire encouraged members of the public to always document any monetary transactions an expression that was reiterated by the area LC V Chairperson, Mr Godfrey Ochieng.
Kitgum Chief Magistrate, HW Elizabeth Akullo who caretakes Patongo Court described the launch as special since "the brains behind SCP" was presiding over its rollout. The area Magistrate Grade One, HW Phillips Oji welcomed the initiative.
Yumbe and Kaabong
In Yumbe and Kaabong, the HW Bucyana was represented by Magistrate Grade One, HW Jacqueline Kagoya, who noted that the initiative was an affordable way for the indigent to access justice.
Presiding over the launch in Yumbe, Arua Resident Judge, Hon. Justice Isah Serunkuma emphasized that the Procedure is a tool being used to give litigants justice cheaply and faster.
The Resident District Commissioner, Ms Carolyn Angolere, thanked the Judiciary for taking services to the communities. Describing it as a timely intervention, the RDC vowed to refer to court all complaints regarding monetary transactions below Shs10m.
"I am barely three weeks in this district and I've already received complaints about debtors. Now that SCP is here, I shall now send them to court to be properly handled." She also urged the police to embrace the initiative. "Police should send debtors directly to court and not detain them."
Mr Angolere promised to continue engaging the people on SCP as well as extend free radio talk time to ease the spread of the good news.
The Arua Ag. Deputy Registrar and Chief Magistrate, HW Dr. Daniel Lubowa applauded the area Magistrate Grade One, HW Hillary Kiwanuka for selfless service even though the Court was understaffed.
At Kaabong Magistrate's Court, HW Nicholas Aisu, who also handles Kotido and Abim courts urged the Judiciary to consider launching the same initiative at soon to be launched Kalanga court. "We are soon establishing a court in Kalanga to bring justice closer tothe people there, and it will be great if the same initiative is launched there," he said.
The launch was presided over by the deputy RDC, Mr Epitu Gady who said SCP would greatly help reduce the complaints filed in his office.
Posted 22nd, February 2021
