By Weswa Ronnie
MBALE CITY
The Deputy Chief Justice, Justice Flavian Zeija, has launched the Court of Appeal in Mbale, bringing judicial services closer to the people of the Eastern region and will be operating at Mbale high court building.
This move aims to reduce the burden of traveling long distances to Kampala for appeal services where 26 cases will be heard beginning Monday, 10th March, 2025 up to Wednesday, 12th March from the Eastern region.
Speaking at the launch on Monday, 10th March, 2025, Justice Zeijja said cases which are going to be heard will be presided over by Lady Justice Irene Mulyagonja, Lady Justice Margaret Tibulya, and Justice Moses Kazibwe Kawumi.
The cause list signed by the Court’s Deputy Registrar, indicates that out of the 26 appeals scheduled for hearing, Murder convictions have the highest number of appeals with 11 cases, Defilement follows with 10 cases, murder and aggravated robbery (02), Rape (02), while grievous harm has one appeal.
Justice Zeija emphasized that this initiative not only extends services to the people but also facilitates the swift handling of cases, particularly election petitions, as the country approaches election time.
Lady Justice Margaret Apiny, the Mbale High Court Resident Judge, welcomed the Justices and noted that Mbale has a caseload of 4,007. She thanked stakeholders for their efforts and commended advocates for their professionalism, saying there have been no complaints against them.
Lady Justice Apiny also thanked the Uganda Prisons Service for always providing accurate lists of prisoners.
She noted that the session is timely as it brings justice closer to the people and that the disposal of 26 cases scheduled for the session will be a significant achievement.
Ms. Tumuhaise Rose, representing the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), thanked the Judiciary for rolling out the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS), saying that it has made the filing of submissions easier and faster.
She, however, asked that the DPP be allowed to appeal lenient sentences and also raised concerns about the Court of Appeal reducing sentences of appellants, urging that where they cannot be increased, they should at least be maintained.
Residents Sam Wanambwa and Stephen Mupuya of Mbale city expressed their gratitude for the court, highlighting the challenges of traveling to Kampala for appeal services.
“Some individuals had been denied justice due to the distance and costs associated with accessing the Court of Appeal in Kampala” the residents said.
This development is part of the Judiciary’s efforts to decentralize its services and enhance access to justice for all citizens.
Similar initiatives have been undertaken in other regions, with plans to establish the Court of Appeal branches in Mbarara and Gulu districts.
