The High Court sitting in Bundibugyo has today commenced a Criminal Session presided over by Head of Fort Portal High Court Circuit, Justice Vincent Emmy Mugabo.
The session began with a stakeholder meeting that brought together key players in the criminal justice chain. The engagement involved the Bundibugyo Chief Magistrate, Hood Matovu, representatives from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), Uganda Prisons Service, Uganda Police Force, local leaders, members of the Bar, and community representatives.
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According to HW Dawa Francis Matenga, Fort Portal’s Deputy Registrar, the session will handle a total of 42 capital cases, comprising 17 cases of Murder, 16 of Aggravated Defilement, and nine of Aggravated Robbery.
Providing a picture of backlog being handled in the session, HW Matenga noted that the cases date back as far as 2017 (three cases) and 2018 (two cases). The heaviest backlog stems from 2020 (14 cases) and 2022 (13 cases), with seven cases from 2021. More recent matters include two cases from 2023 and one case from 2024.
In his remarks at stakeholder meeting, Justice Mugabo underscored the Judiciary’s determination to reduce case backlog and enhance access to justice. He encouraged accused persons who know that they are guilty of the offences they are accused of to consider plea bargaining as a practical option to expedite justice and decongest prisons, while also reminding all stakeholders of their duty to ensure fair and efficient proceedings.
Participants at the stakeholder meeting reaffirmed their readiness to collaborate throughout the session, describing it as a vital step in bringing justice closer to the people of Bundibugyo and building public confidence in the courts
