Deputy Chief Justice Advises Public to Make Use of Free Legal Services

Deputy Chief Justice Richard Buteera has advised the public to make use of free legal support to secure justice. 

Justice Buteera was on Friday responding to concerns from residents at Mukono during the High Court open day. 

Residents raised concerns about the failure to file civil cases due to high costs and expensive lawyers.

Hassan Kasibante asked for special desks at all High Courts to support poor people file cases and also representing themselves before the court. 

However, Justice Buteera told the public that the judiciary already established alternative avenues to support people who cannot afford court fees.  He advised them to make use of the justice centre, law society and lawyers offering probono services.

He also revealed that they are yet to operationalize the Lugazi High Court to address the case backlog. 

The operationalization of Lugazi will result in an increase in judicial staff working in the area. 

Florence Akello, the Assistant Director of Public Prosecution at Mukono revealed that the shortage of staff is contributing to the case backlog. 

So far Mukono High Court Circuit has over 1100 cases pending hearing. 447 cases are from Mukono, Lugazi 230, Nakifuma 280, Kayunga 186 and Njeru 76. At the Chief Magistrates court, there are 260 with 170 pending committal. 

Mukono High Court Senior Resident Judge David Matovu asked the judiciary to also expedite the process of connecting Mukono to the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS) to make case tracking easier.

Sarah Kayizi, a resident and member of Upper Kauga Local Council (LCI) applauded the judiciary for organising the open day. She noted that it gives them the courage to become more court users to address challenges faced in the communities as well as to understand court processes.

Dia Abdourahmane, the Acting Deputy Resident Representative, of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), said that the Open Day is an arrangement that encourages the sharing of valuable feedback on legal matters. 

He adds that feedback plays a crucial role in achieving several objectives like enhancing accessibility and responsiveness of the justice system and amplifying community voices.