DCJ flags off Court of Appeal Criminal Session at Mbale High Court
The Deputy Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Richard Buteera inspecting the Guard of Honor
The Deputy Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Richard Buteera, on Monday June 12, 2023 opened a Court of Appeal Criminal Session at Mbale High Court where 30 appeals are going to be handled.
Three Judges; Hon. Justice Cheborion Barishaki, who is heading the panel, Hon. Justice Christopher Gashirabake and Hon. Justice Oscar Kihika are handling the Session.
The cause list signed by the Court’s Deputy Registrar, HW Lillian Bucyana, indicates that of the 30 cases to be handled; 20 are appeals against Murder convictions while seven appellants want the Court to overturn Defilement convictions. Two other appeals being are in respect of Robbery and one Rape conviction.
One convict wants his death conviction overturned while in another appeal the State is contesting the acquittal of three persons on a Murder charge.
The Deputy Chief Justice emphasized that holding out of station sessions is one of the ways the Judiciary is taking services closer to the people they serve.
He noted that cases being currently heard at Mbale High Court will be concluded in one month. Justice Buteera thanked stakeholders such as the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution, advocates and Uganda Prisons Services for enabling the session to kick off.
The Head of Circuit, Mbale High Court, Justice Godfrey Namundi decried the heavy caseload in the Circuit and appealed for another Resident Judge.
RPC Ronald Godie, the Regional Prisons Commander Eastern Region called for more Court of Appeal sessions to help decongest prisons.
Posted 12th, June 2023
