JUDICIARY Latest Features

The Resident Judge of the Hoima High Court, Justice Vincent Opyene, yesterday officially kicked off a High Court criminal session aimed at expeditious disposal of criminal cases and reduction of case backlog within the Circuit.

The session commenced with the inspection of a guard of honour, attended by judicial officers, court staff, private legal practitioners, state attorneys from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP). The others included mediators, and representatives from key justice sector institutions, including the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), Norwegian Refugee Council(NRC), Uganda Police Force, and Uganda Prisons Service.

This was followed by a stakeholders' meeting held in the High Court open courtroom, chaired by Justice Opyene and moderated by the Assistant Registrar, Mr. Emmanuel Bamwite. During the meeting, it was announced that a total of 70criminal case files are scheduled to be heard and disposed of within 45 days. These include 31 cases of murder, 21 cases of aggravated defilement, nine cases of rape, six cases of aggravated robbery, and three cases of aggravated trafficking in persons. The session involves 47 male and 23 female accused persons.

In his remarks, Justice Opyene commended High Court staff, state attorneys, and counsel on state brief for their dedication and commitment in previous and ongoing criminal sessions. He acknowledged the critical role played by court assessors and appreciated the Uganda Prisons Service for ensuring timely production of accused persons in court. The Judge pledged to maintain strict time management during the session and noted that consistent disposal of cases has enabled him to present reliable performance statistics at judicial review meetings.

To facilitate the smooth conduct of the session, Justice Opyene announced the temporary suspension of civil case hearings to allow full focus on the criminal docket. He raised concerns regarding delays in committal of cases to the High Court, noting that such delays often result in difficulties in tracing witnesses, particularly among mobile populations such as refugees. He also highlighted gaps in exhibit management and investigative quality, observing that some case files lack essential exhibits and are supported by insufficient investigations.

Responding to these concerns, the Acting Regional CID Commander for the Albertine Region, SP Twinamatsiko, acknowledged the challenges and committed to improving exhibit management. He attributed recent progress in backlog reduction to enhanced collaboration between the Police and the ODPP.

Mr.John Ochopa, the Chief Resident State Attorney, appreciated the continued scheduling of back-to-back criminal sessions and explained that delays in committal are partly due to staffing constraints, particularly in Kagadi ,Kibaale, and Kakumiro districts, which are served by limited personnel. He further noted that exhibit production is often affected by transfers of investigating officers, making it difficult to trace and present evidence, and proposed the establishment of a centralized exhibit storage facility.

Mr Ochopa also highlighted the need for standby interpreters for Kinyarwanda, Kiswahili, and Kinyabwisha to address language barriers during hearings, increased facilitation for service of witness summons due to the mobility of witnesses, and measures to address suspected witness interference during transit to court. He further called for improved courtroom conditions, noting that the existing environment is often hot and congested.

The Assistant Registrar, Mr. Bamwite, advised counsel on state brief and state attorneys to thoroughly review police files in advance and identify key witnesses to enable timely arrangements, including interpretation services. He also encouraged agreement on uncontested documents and the use of virtual platforms such as Zoom for distant witnesses, particularly police officers, to enhance efficiency.

The District Prisons Commander for Hoima, Mr. Nekambi, informed the meeting that some cases scheduled for the session had already been concluded, while others involve accused persons who are deceased, unwell, or currently on bail.

Counsel on State Brief, Mr. Benjamin Asasira from Justice Centres Uganda, emphasized the need for a case-by-case approach when agreeing on exhibits, noting that some clients may not easily consent. He also highlighted challenges related to witness availability, particularly in defilement cases where victims may have relocated, married, or returned to their home areas, including refugee settlements.

Representatives from the Uganda Human Rights Commission and the Norwegian Refugee Council advocated for prioritisation of cases involving refugees, emphasizing the need for timely committal and hearing of such matters.

The Chief Magistrate of Hoima, HW George Kunihira, commended the Resident Judge's commitment but raised concerns about delays in summoning witnesses at the lower court level and the limited availability of state attorneys due to ongoing High Court sessions.

The Assistant Registrar also announced upcoming stakeholder engagement activities, including a social event scheduled for 30th April 2026 and a sports gala for Hoima and Masindi circuits slated for 9th June 2026. He further committed to improving case tracking and statistical reporting in collaboration with court registry staff, the ODPP, and the Uganda Prisons Service.

In his closing remarks, Justice Opyene thanked stakeholders for their candid contributions and emphasized the importance of continued collaboration. He encouraged members of the justice sector to strengthen collegial relationships not only in professional settings but also in social contexts, particularly in times of bereavement and personal need.