Increase High Court Judges, Says Odoki

By Nathan Etengu The Chief Justice, Benjamin Odoki, has said the number of High Court judges should be increased from the current 30 to at least 50.Odoki said the present number of judges could not cope with the pressing demand for the administration of justice in the courts and other responsibilities given to the judiciary.He was recently officiating at the opening of the new High Court premises and the rehabilitated Mbale chief magistrate’s court. Odoki said the Government had appointed some of the judges to head commissions of inquiry there-by reducing the number of those handling judicial matters.“If the judges are to play these other extra-judicial roles, then their numbers must be increased significantly,” Odoki said.The construction of the new High Court complex and renovation of the magistrates court was funded by the Danish International Development Agency.The Principal Judge, Herbert Ntabgoba, Chief Registrar of the Courts of Judicature Steven Musota and the resident judges Atwooki Rugadya and Faith Mwondha, attended the ceremony.Odoki said the judiciary needed new High court circuits in the country for the quick administration of justice. He said most of the judiciary staff including magistrates were handicapped in terms of transport and other logistics.“If the Government could agree, the Chief magistrates and deputy registrars of the High Court would be provided with vehicles,” Odoki said.He urged the staff to utilise the infrastructure provided by international donors to render services to the community.Ends