Zeija commissions Chief Magistrate’s Court in Sheema
The Judiciary of Uganda is set to undertake a significant initiative to train religious leaders, Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) and local council leaders in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms. This effort aims to enhance access to justice and alleviate the growing backlog of cases in courts across the country.
The announcement was made by Deputy Chief Justice His Lordship Dr. Flavian Zeija during the commissioning of the newly constructed Sheema Chief Magistrate’s Court, held yesterday at Kibingo, Sheema Central Division in Sheema Municipality.
Justice Zeija emphasized the critical role community leaders play in the justice system noting that many disputes are first reported to religious, political and local council leaders. He stressed the importance of equipping these leaders with the necessary skills and knowledge to resolve conflicts fairly and efficiently through ADR thereby easing the burden on formal courts.
In addition to the court’s commissioning, a Justice Centre worth UGX1.83 billion was officially opened. The complex comprises a Grade One and Chief Magistrate’s Court offices for the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and a police block. The construction of the facility which began in 2019 faced delays due to funding gaps, contract revisions and management challenges as explained by Eng. Priscilla Nakiboneka, the Principal Executive Engineer at the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs who represented the Permanent Secretary.
Eng. Nakiboneka urged judicial officers and court staff to ensure regular maintenance of the new facility emphasizing that proper cleaning and upkeep are vital in preserving the building’s condition.
Fred Kyamuzigita, the Sheema District Resident District Commissioner praised the sector for the improved infrastructure highlighting that the new court complex would facilitate more efficient transportation of prisoners and bring justice services closer to the people.
Lucy Kabahuma, the Sheema District Chief Magistrate provided an update on the court’s caseload, revealing that the court is currently handling 821 cases both civil and criminal. She explained that civil disputes predominantly involve land disagreements and debt recovery issues by SACCOs while criminal cases are mostly petty offenses including coffee theft, matooke theft, cattle theft, assault and threats of violence.
In his remarks, Sheema Municipality MP Dickson Kateshumbwa called on SACCO members to practice financial discipline and heed the guidance of their leaders to foster community development and peace.
