Anti-Corruption Division
In July 2008, the Judiciary administratively established the Anti-corruption Division of the High court as a specialized Division to adjudicate corruption and corruption related cases. The Division commenced hearing cases in December 2008. The Division is located at Plot 5 Lourdel Road, Nakasero, Kampala- Uganda.
The Establishment of the ACD was a deliberate step by the Judiciary, in response to demands by Government and other institutions engaged in fighting corruption, to take drastic action against the corrupt by strengthening the adjudicatory mechanism for fighting corruption.
The Principal Judge administratively set up the ACD, as a specialized Division of the High Court to adjudicate corruption cases. The Chief Justice would like to formally establish the ACD through a Practice Direction.
Objective and Rationale of the ACD
The objective of the ACD is to provide an orderly mechanism for the adjudication of corruption cases based on merit, speed, efficiency and fairness of corruption cases.
Principles
The Directions are made by the Chief Justice under article 133(1) (b) of the constitution, which gives the Chief Justice power to issue orders and directions to the courts necessary for the proper and efficient administration of justice.
The ACD is intended to provide an adjudication mechanism for the timely and expeditious disposal of corruption and corruption related cases.
Unlike other Divisions of the High court, the ACD will have two chief magistrates and four magistrates Grade 1 Note that constitutionally, Magistrates cannot be members of the High court. This lacuna can be addresses by the Chief Justice designating magistrates, under section 6 of the Magistrates Court Act to assist the ACD. The ACD will supervise the Magistrates.
The ACD is administratered by a Head of Division, who is responsible for the overall supervision, administration and coordination of the Division.
Anti - Corruption act - 2009
