GULU-The Deputy Chief Justice, Richard Buteera on Wednesday ,flagged off the Court of Appeal’s first upcountry Civil Appeals and Applications session, which is being held at Gulu High Court.
The session being presided over by Justice Fredrick Martin Stephen Egonda-Ntende, Justice Cheborion Barishaki, and Justice Christopher Gashirabake will run upto Friday September 27.
According to the cause list, signed by the Court’s Registrar, HW Rukundo Allen Owembabazi indicates that land-related claims dominate with 17 cases (appeals and Applications)
Other claims involve trespass, setting aside orders of the High Court, damages, general damages, stays of execution, interim measures, contract disputes, validation of appeals, stays of proceedings, and striking out notices of appeal.
During a meeting with stakeholders, the DCJ announced plans for the Court of Appeal to regularly hold Civil Appeals sessions alongside criminal ones to improve access to justice.
He also discussed the Judiciary’s plans to increase the number of judicial officers and courts, as well as to extend the Court of Appeal to other regions. Construction of branches in Gulu and Mbarara is expected to begin this financial year once funding is secured.
Justice Buteera emphasized the need for other key stakeholders, such as the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the Attorney General’s Chambers, Uganda Police Force, and Uganda Prisons Service, to grow with the Judiciary to ensure smooth delivery of justice.
He also highlighted the Judiciary’s adoption of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms like mediation to resolve civil cases more efficiently. He urged advocates to embrace ADR, addressing concerns about legal fees by noting that fee negotiations can still take place during mediation, allowing their Clients to cover them.
He pointed out the success of ADR in criminal cases through plea bargaining and called for collective support from advocates, religious and cultural leaders, and the public to embrace ADR.
Justice Phillip Odoki, Head Gulu High Court Circuit, expressed gratitude for the return of the Court of Appeal to Gulu for a session. He emphasized that holding these sessions in upcountry regions builds public trust in the Judiciary and allows litigants to follow proceedings.
Justice Odoki highlighted that land disputes make up about 70% of cases in the region and are difficult to resolve due to the complex land tenure system and the effects of the long war. He noted that many cases in the region involve people who settled on land after the war without clear ownership or titles, making it difficult for judicial officers to resolve these cases due to unclear land boundaries and ownership.
To address these challenges, Justice Odoki noted that Gulu High Court has embraced ADR mechanisms such as Mediation. He also shared that the community appreciates the Judiciary’s efforts to expand courts in the region, which now has three High Court circuits, though only two are fully operational. Of the nine Chief Magisterial Areas in the region, only four are currently operational.
Advocate Emmanuel Egaru Omit, representing the Uganda Law Society, thanked the Court of Appeal for holding sessions in Gulu.
He praised the Judiciary’s efforts to increase the number of judicial officers but urged for more judicial officers in the region to fight the backlog of cases.
Mr Egaru also commended the Judiciary for its innovations in technology and the adoption of ADR.
He noted that land disputes in the region have hindered development, as the land cannot be used productively due to ongoing conflicts.
He also mentioned that advocates have been offering pro bono services to make legal support more accessible, as many people cannot afford legal fees.
The meeting was attended by judicial officers and representatives from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Uganda Police Force, Uganda Prisons Service, among others.
Notably present were Justice Okello George (Judge Gulu High Court), HW Rukundo Allen (Registrar Court of Appeal), HW Dr. Mushabe Alex Karocho (Private Legal Secretary to the DCJ) and HW Allan Gakyaro (Personal Assistant to the DCJ), among others.
HW Obong George, Deputy Registrar Gulu High Court moderated the Session.
