Commercial Court completes cases worth 2 trillion - Judge

COMMERCIAL COURT 

KAMPALA - Justice Dr. Henry Peter Adonyo has revealed that the Commercial Division of the High Court has completed cases valued at sh2.7 trillion this year.

Addressing journalists at the Commercial Court building in Kampala, Adonyo also disclosed that the total value of pending cases is sh4.1 trillion, almost a quarter of Uganda's budget.

Some of the high profile cases concluded are that of the resolution of a dispute between traders, manufacturers and Uganda Revenue Authority on the digital stamp payments and a case filed against the government, which had delayed the final investment decision regarding the extraction of oil and gas.

"The court has managed to complete all these cases this year during COVID-19 lockdown while adhering to the Chief Justice's guidelines," he stated.

He added, "Matters in this court are disposed-off quickly so that people can go back and do business to enable the country grow."

The Judge disclosed that cases pending adjudication at the Commercial Court as of August 21, 2020 is 5,454, registered cases 1788, and completed cases 1165.

The judge said the Division has also renovated the court building including repairs to lift, furniture, court halls, doors, lighting, water systems, fire alarm systems, and beautification of the environment.

Adonyo also said there is an ongoing reorganization of the registry with all the files being kept in the chambers of the judges and registrars for proper management.

"The number of physical files were not tallying with what is in the electronic system, hence the changes," he stated.  

The judiciary's senior communications officer, Solomon Muyita explained that if the court has issues with its support staff, its head writes to the permanent secretary, who in turn forwards the errant staff to the Public Service Commission for disciplinary action.

Muyita, however, said where evidence is overwhelming, it becomes a police case.

He said the Commercial Court's performance has improved despite Covid-19 lockdown that has hit the country and the globe at large.

"The court has resolved 60% of the cases yet they have four months to end the year. This court gives cases priority so that people get their money back for business purposes," Muyita said.

The Commercial Court has six judges, three registers and 65 support staff, who are working in shifts due to Covid-19 lockdown.