Kasese High Court moves to resolve 136 cases by June 2026

KASESE - The Kasese High Court resident judge has assured the public that all civil and criminal cases ready for trial before the Kasese High Court will be disposed of by the end of June 2026.

Justice Lawrence Tweyanze made the assurance last on April 11, 2026, at the court premises situated in Rukoki ward, Nyamwamba division of Kasese Municipality, during the regional coordination committee meeting of the High Court and a pre-session engagement.

He said the court currently has 90 civil and 46 criminal cases, which he intends to conclude within the scheduled period. He added that the Judiciary is increasingly focusing on alternative dispute resolution (ADR), including mediation and plea bargaining, as mechanisms for reducing case backlog.

“I commend the efforts of the people of Kasese, judicial officers and advocates for being good at mediation and settling matters outside court,” Tweyanze said.

In an engagement that attracted various stakeholders, including security teams led by the resident district commissioner (RDC), religious leaders and advocates, the judge expressed optimism that the current system in place within the Judiciary would make case handling much easier.

Residents during a court session. (Credit: Samuel Amanyire)

He further disclosed that effective July this year, the court system will transition to a paperless arrangement, with all court processes, including filings, rulings, and judgments to be delivered online, advising advocates to prepare for the change.

“In the digital world, embracing technology is paramount in all aspects of life,” he said.

Lt Maate Magwara, the deputy resident district commissioner for Kasese in charge of Bukonzo County, expressed gratitude to the judicial officers for embracing alternative dispute resolution, noting that recent mediations at the Kasese High Court circuit had eased the burden of handling disputes that would otherwise be reported to his office.

“Previously, our office would be the resting point for many people involved in several conflicts and wanted justice,” Magwara said.

He, however, called on the Judiciary to continue guiding them on legal matters, noting that they sometimes handle complex cases that require technical legal interpretation.

In response, the resident judge advised RDCs to always consult judicial officers before executing any duties, especially in matters already before court.