News
Judge Batema calls for independent High Court premises
Batema appealed to the Chief Justice to request the Local Government's PS to consider acquisition of the land title, which he said will pave the way for the construction of an independent High Court.
Iganga Magistrate Court. (Photo by Petride Mudoola)
By: Petride Mudoola, Journalist @New Vision
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Iganga resident judge David Batema has called for independent High Court premises if Government is to ensure proper dispensation of justice in the region.
“The Chief Magistrate’s Court premises is too small to accommodate the High Court yet again, and to accommodate the Grade 3, Grade2 and Grade 1 Magistrate Courts. This has greatly affected service delivery," he said.
“Busoga Kingdom offered land for construction of the High Court premises. Unfortunately, acquisition of the land title has been pending for the last two years since the Local Government’s Permanent Secretary has not endorsed.”
Iganga Magistrate Court. (Photo by Petride Mudoola)
Batema made the remarks while officiating at the inaugural Iganga High Court Open Day held at the Iganga High Court Grounds.
He appealed to the Chief Justice to request the Local Government's PS to consider acquisition of the land title, which he said will pave the way for the construction of an independent High Court.
Since the infrastructure is managed by the chief magistrate’s court, “we are not any different from tenants considering the fact that we are equally required to share office space with lower courts, leaving no space for the higher court to fully operationalize".
The building has a single hall, which hosts the grade 1 and chief magistrate's court sessions leaving no space for the High Court. The chief magistrate's court has five magistrates at grade 1 level, three at grade 2 and one chief magistrate, who handle 400 cases each, annually.
The Iganga High Court circuit territorial jurisdiction involves eight districts within Busoga sub -region: Iganga, Luuka, Kaliro, Bugweri, Bugiri, Namutumba, Namayingo and Mayuge.
“Due to lack of infrastructure, most of the criminal cases registered at Jinja High Court stem from Iganga," said Batema.
"If we get buildings to host High Court sessions, all these cases will be handled from within, hence, litigants shall have justice on time."
On handling juvenile cases, the judge said they sometimes fail to proceed with cases where minors are the key witnesses due to lack of funds to transport them to court.
The Iganga High Court circuit territorial jurisdiction involves eight districts within Busoga sub -region: Iganga, Luuka, Kaliro, Bugweri, Bugiri, Namutumba, Namayingo and Mayuge.
“Due to lack of infrastructure, most of the criminal cases registered at Jinja High Court stem from Iganga," said Batema.
"If we get buildings to host High Court sessions, all these cases will be handled from within, hence, litigants shall have justice on time."
On handling juvenile cases, the judge said they sometimes fail to proceed with cases where minors are the key witnesses due to lack of funds to transport them to court.