By Moses Andama
In Masindi——
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Deputy chief justice Flavian Zeija has advised the judicial officials at Masindi high court to make use of the religious leaders in mediating different cases which come up in courts.
Zeija sounded this advice today Monday May 12, 2025 during official opening of court of appeal criminal session at Masindi high court where 27 cases are going to be handled in 3 days which starts from Monday 12th may to Wednesday 14th 2025 at Masindi high court.
Zeija noted that while he was still a resident judge at Massaka high court, religious leaders helped him a lot as they adopt the alternative dispute resolution like mediation, negotiation and plea bargaining.
“Let’s make use of the religious leaders. Use them in mediating family and land disputes”, Zeija stated
According to the case list signed by the Court of appeal’s Registrar, Allen Owembabazi Rukundo, Murder tops the list with 14 appeals, aggravated Defilement follows with nine cases and aggravated robbery with four.
Rukundo indicated that notably, three appellants are challenging life sentences for Murder convictions.
This session is being presided over by Deputy Chief Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija, marking his first sitting in the Court of Appeal alongside two Justices including Christopher Gashirabake and Ketrah Kitariisibwa Katunguka.
Zeija noted that they decided to bring the court of appeal services nearer to the people of Uganda by holding Regional Court of appeal sessions to ease physical access to justice for the people.
He says this process will cut on the transportation and litigation costs formerly spent by litigants trekking to Kampala to access services of the court of appeal.
” We are mindful that Masindi high court circuit like other high court circuits and divisions is faced with a challenge of case backlog and complaints of prisoners over staying on remand,” said Justice Zeija.
He says their aim is to clear the case back log in the Judiciary and this session is a clear indicator that they shall do their best to realize the goal and ensure Justice is not only done but seen to be done.
He also noted that when they get money they have plans to deploy at least two judges at every high court circuits.
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