Government gives Judiciary sh6b case backlog fund

 Chief Justice Bart Katureebe. Photo/File

Government has given the Judiciary sh6b for ICT support in the case backlog fight, Chief Justice Bart Katureebe has disclosed.

Katureebe made the disclosure on Friday during a case backlog strategic meeting for judges of the High Court, registrars, deputy registrars and assistant registrars, at Grand Imperial Hotel in Kampala.

Katureebe noted that the five-year pilot project will start at the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, Divisions of the High Court in Kampala, Chief Magistrates Court of Mengo, Nakawa and Makindye, before rolling out to other courts countrywide.

Katureebe  emphasised the essence of automation of the court system, saying it will ensure proper case management from the time of filing to the final stage of judgment when the file is closed.
 
"Every judge and registrar should participate in, and supervise the entry and processing of data at your stations," Katureebe said.

Katureebe directed judges who are nearing retirement, not to take on new cases, six months prior retirement.

"Judges who are about to retire should concentrate on completing pending cases within six months, as allowed by the constitution. If the judge fails to complete as case within the specified period of time, the law allows to be given extra three months," Katureebe explained.