Gov’t tasked to operationalize Apac,Dokolo High Court Circuits
By Denis Okello (denis.okello@vol.co.ug)
Lira City
Stakeholders have called on government to establish more high court circuits in Lango to ease pressure on Lira high court that is grappling with many court cases especially those related to land wrangles.
The call was made today during the court open day held at Lira high court held under the theme; “People’s centered approach to justice.” Organized by the judiciary.
When the floor was opened to the public for debate, 15 out of 18 participants cited high case backlog especially cases involving land.
Lira High Court Deputy Registrar Godfrey Kawesa said Lira High court is grappling with 2,856 cases that are supposed to be heard while cases of land alone are 5,540.
Kawesa said they are trying their best to reduce case backlog through mechanisms including, mediation.
He said Lango is in need of two high court judges and two chief magistrates to reduce case backlog.
Lira City Council Deputy Mayor, Rebecca Alweda Ogole called for sensitization of the masses to alley fear among the public about purported high charges levied for court cases especially for cases of land to be heard.
Lira district chairman Richard Cox Max Okello Orik said Lira district and other districts in Lango have offered land for establishing different courts but up to now, the land has not been utilized.
He called for speedy hearing and disposal of court cases especially land related ones.
Lira RCC Lawrence Egole called on cultural leaders to offer moral guidance to children and support in handing land matters.
Lira high court judge Duncan Gaswaga said the open court day should be adopted as an annual event to allow the public dialogue with court officials.
Gaswaga said they will consider forwarding some cases to cultural leaders to resolve so as to reduce court backlog.
He said his office and that of the chief justice Uganda Alfonse Chigamony Owiny-Dollo will train clan heads in Lango on conflict resolution this month.
