DCJ Flags Off Court of Appeal Session in Arua, Calls for Accurate Records and Stronger Criminal Justice Coordination
The Deputy Chief Justice, Justice Moses Kazibwe Kawumi, has urged criminal justice actors to prioritize accurate documentation, proper record keeping and stronger inter-agency collaboration to enhance the administration of justice.
Justice Kazibwe made the remarks on Tuesday while flagging off a two-day criminal session of the Court of Appeal at Arua High Court, where 28 criminal appeals are scheduled to be heard between 23 and 24 June 2026.
The session is being presided over by Justice Christopher Gashirabake, Lady Justice Margaret Tibulya and Lady Justice Cornelia Kakooza Sabiiti.
Addressing stakeholders, Justice Kazibwe said the sitting demonstrates the Judiciary’s commitment to taking appellate justice closer to communities where crimes are committed and their effects most deeply felt. “Justice must not only be done; it must be seen and understood by the communities it serves,” he said.
He observed that appellate justice has for many years appeared distant from victims and affected communities, yet behind every appeal lies a victim, a family and often a life permanently altered by crime.
The Deputy Chief Justice noted that the appeals originate from districts across the West Nile region, including Arua, Nebbi, Pakwach and Zombo, and involve serious offences such as murder, rape, aggravated defilement, robbery, trafficking in persons, ritual sacrifice and gender-based violence.
He condemned all forms of violence against children, women, persons with disabilities, persons with albinism and other vulnerable groups, stressing that no cultural belief, superstition, economic hardship or criminal enterprise can justify taking innocent life or violating human dignity.
Justice Kazibwe further highlighted the security challenges associated with the West Nile sub-region’s proximity to neighbouring countries, noting that transnational crimes require stronger collaboration among criminal justice institutions and enhanced regional cooperation.
“Criminals must never be allowed to exploit national borders as safe havens from accountability,” he said.
Turning to challenges affecting criminal appeals, the Deputy Chief Justice noted that many appeals continue to be delayed by incomplete records, missing exhibits, poorly documented proceedings and gaps in investigation files.
“An appellate court can only determine a case based on the record before it. The quality of justice delivered at the appellate level can never exceed the quality of the record generated at the trial level,” he observed.
He urged investigators, prosecutors, judicial officers and court staff to ensure that witness testimonies, exhibits and proceedings are properly preserved and transmitted to appellate courts.
Justice Kazibwe also called upon judicial officers in West Nile to maintain professionalism, regular court attendance and effective communication with court users, emphasising that litigants should be informed in advance whenever court sittings are disrupted to spare them unnecessary travel costs and delays.
Responding to concerns raised by stakeholders, the Deputy Chief Justice pledged to follow up on the operationalisation of the gazetted High Courts of Nebbi and Moyo to improve access to justice and reduce the burden of long-distance travel on litigants. He also committed to engaging the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions on addressing staffing shortages.
Earlier, HW Toloko Simon, the Arua High Court Deputy Registrar, welcomed the Court of Appeal team and underscored the importance of operationalising the High Courts of Nebbi and Moyo. On behalf of the ODPP, Mr. Richard Muhereza highlighted funding and staffing challenges, while advocates represented by Ms. Daisy Patience Bandaru requested that a Court of Appeal civil session also be considered for the region.
According to the cause list issued by HW Rukundo Allen Owembabazi, murder accounts for the highest number of appeals at 14, followed by eight appeals for aggravated defilement, four for rape and two for aggravated robbery. Three appellants are challenging death sentences, while five are contesting life imprisonment sentences.
Notably present was HW Rukundo, HW Obol Oroya Conrad (Chief Magustrate Arua), HW Mwanja Brian (Personal Assistant to the Deputy Chief Justice), and Magistrates attached to the Court of Appeal and those under Arua High Court Circuit.
Also in attendance was ASP Nabimanya Arthur (Deputy O/C UG. Arua main prison, SP Dragudu Ignatius (Representing RPC West Nile), Advocate Madira Jimmy, and ASP Detective Akampurira Andrew (Divisional CID Officer Arua City Central).
The meeting was moderated by HW Mulalira Faisal Umar (Private Legal Secretary to the Deputy Chief Justice).
Posted 25th, June 2026
