Summary:
- Ten appellants are seeking to have their convictions and sentences quashed, thirteen want their sentences quashed, and two are seeking other relief.
KABALE: The Court of Appeal, led by Deputy Chief Justice Richard Buteera, has commenced hearing 25 criminal case appeals from the Kabale High Court Circuit.
According to the cause list signed by the Court’s Registrar Lillian Bucyana, the criminal appeals session begins today, July 1st, 2024, and will run for three days.
The list indicates that out of the 25 appeals, 15 are murder-related cases. Aggravated defilement follows with seven appeals, rape with two, and aggravated robbery with one. Ten appellants are seeking to have their convictions and sentences quashed, thirteen want their sentences quashed, and two are seeking other relief.
The other three Justices on the Court of Appeal panel in Kabale are Irene Mulyagonja, Christopher Gashirabake, and Eva Luswata. This is the second session of the Court of Appeal in Kabale, and the Justices will handle cases from seven districts: Kabale, Rukungiri, Kisoro, Kanungu, Rubanda, Rukiga, and Ntungamo.
Today’s three-day session of the Court of Appeal began with a stakeholders meeting at the Kabale High Court premises to discuss the status of the justice system and practices in the Kabale High Court Circuit. During the meeting, Kabale Resident District Commissioner Godfrey Nyakahuma requested Justice Buteera to expedite the establishment of lower courts at the sub-county level to improve access to justice for Ugandans. Nyakahuma noted that Kabale is overwhelmed by cases of domestic violence that often escalate to murders.
In response, Justice Buteera revealed that the Judiciary plans to have Grade One Magistrates at every sub-county and Chief Magistrates at the district level to facilitate easier access to justice for Ugandans.
CUE IN JUSTICE BUTEERA…..ON THE MATTER……ENG//
