COVID 19: Hearing High Court Criminal session hits snag

CRIME

MBARARA- The Commencement for the hearing of 80 criminal cases at Mbarara High Court has been pushed to the next convenient session due to the institutions delay to harmonize on the COVID-19 guidelines.

The High Court Deputy registrar, Kwizera Amos has revealed.

Kwizera said that criminal sessions for Mbarara High court were scheduled to commence on July 20,2020 and two visiting Justices, Lady Justice Immaculate Busingye and Lady Justice Susan Abinyo were to each handle 40 cases.

The hearing of other 40 criminal cases for Bushenyi is commencing on July 27 and will be presided over by Justice lady, Anna Bitature Mugenyi, whereas the Mbarara court session was for July 24.

Kwizera while in his office at Mbarara High court recently, told The New vision that cases were planned to take off before but were delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, when institutions of the Judiciary, office of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) and Commissioner of Prisons agree on the Standard operation procedures (SOPs), they will be ready to go on with court proceedings.

Kwizera added that among the guidelines discussed, is either to handle these cases by zoom, or take the court to prison.

"Prison authorities cannot allow inmates to leave the prison because once they leave, they won't go back for fear of contracting and spreading COVID-19," Kwizera explained.

The criminal session for Mbarara High court will cover cases committed from the districts of Mbarara, Ntungamo, Isingiro, Kiruhura, Ibanda and some from Bushenyi.

Among the cause listed cases to be heard is topped with 34 cases of murder, 25 for aggravated defilement, 15 aggravated robbery, four for rape, one for rape and aggravated robbery and one for murder and arson.

Isingiro district is leading in murder with 10 cases, followed with seven from Ibanda, five from Mbarara, four from Ntungamo, Bushenyi with two and Kiruhura with one.

For aggravated defilement, Ibanda is leading with 10, Ntungamo with seven, Mbarara with four, Bushenyi with one and Kiruhura has none.