News
Soroti High Court special session to hear 16 high-profile criminal cases
According to court officials, the special session will exclusively focus on the 16 selected cases, with priority given to matters considered sensitive and of significant public interest.
The special criminal session is expected to provide a faster avenue for resolving the cases as court, prosecution, and security agencies work together to ensure timely delivery of justice. (File photo)
By: Martin Okwera, Journalist @New Vision
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The Soroti High Court has opened a special criminal session to expedite the hearing and disposal of 16 high-profile criminal cases, including the Jozan School murder and the Egyptian murder cases.
Soroti High Court Judge Justice Boniface Wamala is presiding over the session, which started on Wednesday, July 15, and will run until August 21, 2026.
Key justice and security stakeholders, including heads of security agencies, Uganda Prisons officials, police, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, the Resident City Commissioner, and members of the legal fraternity, attended the opening session.
According to court officials, the special session will exclusively focus on the 16 selected cases, with priority given to matters considered sensitive and of significant public interest.
Justice Wamala announced that plea taking for all the cases will form part of the session as court moves to accelerate the judicial process.
The court has allocated August 20 to 24 for the prosecution to organise witnesses ahead of hearings for the Jozan and Egyptian cases, which are scheduled between August 27 and 31, 2026.
Justice Wamala announced that plea taking for all the cases will form part of the session as court moves to accelerate the judicial process.
The court has allocated August 20 to 24 for the prosecution to organise witnesses ahead of hearings for the Jozan and Egyptian cases, which are scheduled between August 27 and 31, 2026.
Justice Wamala directed that all suspects in the Jozan School murder case must appear physically before court during the proceedings and ordered enhanced security deployment to maintain order.
The Mid-Eastern Regional Prisons Commander, ASSP Emmanuel Muchunguzi, said security preparations have been strengthened to support the smooth running of the session.
The judge also indicated that suspects in the Jozan murder case will take plea on July 27 and 29, after which the trial process will proceed.
Meanwhile, Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Gladys Maccrina Nyanzi confirmed that all case files are ready and the prosecution team is prepared for the session.
The special criminal session is expected to provide a faster avenue for resolving the cases as court, prosecution, and security agencies work together to ensure timely delivery of justice.
The Mid-Eastern Regional Prisons Commander, ASSP Emmanuel Muchunguzi, said security preparations have been strengthened to support the smooth running of the session.
The judge also indicated that suspects in the Jozan murder case will take plea on July 27 and 29, after which the trial process will proceed.
Meanwhile, Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Gladys Maccrina Nyanzi confirmed that all case files are ready and the prosecution team is prepared for the session.
The special criminal session is expected to provide a faster avenue for resolving the cases as court, prosecution, and security agencies work together to ensure timely delivery of justice.