ENTEBBE.
The Deputy Chief Justice Dr Flavian Zeija has revealed that the establishment of judicial courts in hard –to- reach areas like islands across the country is set to enhance the delivery of justice and bring services closer to the people.
“We need a special program for the islands, there are some islands that are at the border with Tanzania. Now those ones use Kalangala as they are under the jurisdiction of Kalangala. There is one exactly at the border with Tanzania, in order for them to go to Kalangala, they first go to Tanzania waters, because the waters in between there are very dangerous” he said.
Dr Zeija added, “So in the future, we should make sure that, for example, people in Busi Island do not have to move for any reason to come here unless they are appealing. We want to make it very convenient for our people to easily access judicial services at all levels of the hierarchy of courts with excellence and efficiency at the core of all our services”.
Dr Zeija made the remarks at the launch of the Entebbe High Court that serves Entebbe Municipality, Katabi Town council, Kajjansi Town Council and Bussi Island.
“As of today, we have 20 justices of appeal out of the approved total of 35. However, we have been given assurances by the government that the total number will be rising progressively. We shall keep opening more circuits of the Court of Appeal in the regions……..Currently, we have 190 judges on the High Court out of the approved structure of 150 and I have seen lawyers here, so you should be able to join us and serve as we increase the numbers” he said.
The Entebbe resident judge Hon Lady Justice Flavia Nabakooza said the high court has so far concluded 25 cases out of the 44 criminal cases heard.
“The High Court has 1,490 cases, out of those we have 194 cases, criminal cases, 34 are case backlog for civil we have 85, 2 are backlog, land matters, we have 940 and out of those 443 is backlog, family matters, we have 259, 48 of those are backlog.
Commercial we have only two, we don’t have backlog in commercial” she said.
Ms Nabakooza added, “We are still receiving files from the divisions that are offloading to Entebbe High Court. So, so far, the 1,480 is just the beginning, we have a daily registration of about 10 cases a day. The registration is high, Entebbe High Court is already growing in just a few months of commencement” she said.
The assistant registrar Entebbe Her Worship Stella Maris Amabilis said the high court opening marks a pivotal moment in the judiciary’s ongoing commitment to enhancing access to justice for all the citizens.
“The establishment of this High Court Circuit is not just a foundation of hard work and perseverance. It signifies the judiciary’s dedication to ensuring that justice is accessible to all court users…. this High Court Circuit introduces a series of enhancements and features designed to improve the judicial experience for our community” she said.
Ms Amabilis added, “These include alternative dispute resolution, electronic case management systems, small claims, mediation, community service, plea bargaining. All these are in the High Court and the Chief Magistrate’s Court