Africa-Press – Uganda. The Deputy chief justice Flavian Zeija has advised judicial officials at Masindi high court to make use of the religious leaders in mediating different cases which come up in courts.
Zeija gave the advice during the official opening of the court of appeal criminal session at Masindi high court where 27 cases are going to be handled in 3 days.
He noted that while he was still a resident judge at Masaka High Court, religious leaders helped him a lot as they adopted alternative dispute resolution like mediation, negotiation and plea bargaining.
“Let’s make use of the religious leaders. Use them in mediating family and land disputes,” he stated
According to the case list signed by the Court of Appeal’s Registrar, Allen Owembabazi Rukundo, murder tops the list with 14 appeals while aggravated defilement follows with nine cases and aggravated robbery with four.
Rukundo indicated that notably, three appellants are challenging life sentences for murder convictions.
This session is being presided over by Deputy Chief Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija, marking his first sitting in the Court of Appeal.
Zeija’s panel also has Justices Christopher Gashirabake and Ketrah Kitariisibwa Katunguka.
The deputy chief justice noted that they decided to bring the court of appeal services nearer the people by holding regional Court of Appeal sessions.
He said this process will cut on the transportation and litigation costs formerly spent by litigants trekking to Kampala to access services of the court of appeal.
” We are mindful that Masindi High Court circuit like other high court circuits and divisions is faced with a challenge of case backlog and complaints of prisoners over staying on remand,” said Justice Zeija.
He added their aim is to clear the case backlog in the Judiciary , noting that this session is a clear indicator that they shall do their best to realize the goal and ensure Justice is not only done but seen to be done.
He also noted that when they get money they have plans to deploy at least two judges at every high court circuit.
The resident judge for Masindi High Court Mary Babirye noted that the court is currently handling 1034 cases, adding that 83 cases were registered this month, 61 were disposed off this month and they have a backlog of 453 cases.
Babirye added in the chief magistrate’s court, they have 706 cases being handled and a backlog of 101 cases.
“We are doing everything possible to ensure that we improve access to justice. We encourage people to practice negotiations, plea bargain and mediation,” she said.
She however, noted that they’re grappling with a challenge of space where to put suspects when they come to court, adding that currently, they’re kept at the chief magistrate’s premises which sometimes inconveniences.
“We have 209 cases which have been committed and ready for prosecution, the uncommitted ones are 75 and we are engaging the DPP to ensure that they’re committed,” she added.
She also said by March 20, 37 cases were ready for plea bargain, adding that they were engaging with the relevant stakeholders to have the plea bargain session.
According to Pensive Tukasiime the district police commander for Masindi, that they are grappling with criminal cases accruing from land wrangles.
“Since this year started we have registered 12 murder cases all arising out of land wrangles. Out of the 12 cases, six have appeared in court, four are still for further inquiries while two are still at police,” said Tukasiime.
She said the biggest challenge they have is the land cases which take long in court.
Damali Nabulya, the officer in charge of Masindi government prison noted that they’re currently grappling with congestion, adding that their facility has a capacity for 266 inmates but currently they have 1816 prisoners.
She added that they have a challenge of prisoners who overstay on remand urging the concerned authorities to organize for more plea bargain sessions.
Carolyn Nabbasa Hope, the principal Director of Public Prosecution wondered why there are appeals coming up from the plea bargain.
“We need to look thoroughly into the issue of appeals coming up from the plea bargain. We are wondering why we have these appeals. If people have sat and agreed, why appeal? In the plea bargain process every stakeholder should be involved before coming out with the final judgement,” she appealed.
Susan Zemei who spoke on behalf of the advocates called for the expeditious handling of estate cases whenever they come in court arguing that the more they delay the more criminal cases come out.
She further called for the digitization of Masindi and Hoima high court circuits to ease their work.
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