Staff Reporter
The Court of Appeal, under the leadership of Deputy Chief Justice Richard Buteera, has started hearing 25 criminal case appeals from the Kabale High Court Circuit.
The session, as per the cause list signed by the Court’s Registrar Lillian Bucyana, begins today, July 1st, 2024, and will last for three days.
Of the 25 appeals, 15 are related to murder. There are also seven appeals for aggravated defilement, two for rape, and one for aggravated robbery. Ten appellants aim to overturn their convictions and sentences, thirteen seek to have their sentences quashed, and two are requesting other forms of relief.
The panel of the Court of Appeal in Kabale includes Justices Irene Mulyagonja, Christopher Gashirabake, and Eva Luswata. This marks the second session of the Court of Appeal in Kabale, where the Justices will handle cases from seven districts: Kabale, Rukungiri, Kisoro, Kanungu, Rubanda, Rukiga, and Ntungamo.
The session commenced with a stakeholders meeting at the Kabale High Court premises to discuss the justice system’s status and practices in the Kabale High Court Circuit. During the meeting, Kabale Resident District Commissioner Godfrey Nyakahuma urged Justice Buteera to expedite the establishment of lower courts at the sub-county level to enhance access to justice for Ugandans. Nyakahuma highlighted that Kabale is burdened with domestic violence cases that often lead to murders.
In response, Justice Buteera announced the Judiciary’s plans to appoint Grade One Magistrates at every sub-county and Chief Magistrates at the district level to improve access to justice across Uganda.
