MBRARA CITY I URN: The Court of Appeal Criminal Session sitting in Mbarara City will hear 29 cases, including 15 murder cases, 10 aggravated defilement cases, one rape case, one manslaughter case, and one indecent assault case. The appeal session will be handled by three Justices of the Court of Appeal: Hon. Justice Cheborion Barishaki, Hon. Justice Oscar John Kihiika, and Hon. Lady Justice Stella Alibeteese.
At the opening of the criminal session, Hon. Justice Cheborion Barishaki decried the high number of murder cases, noting that they continue to dominate criminal appeals sessions in Mbarara. He called on leaders to devise strategies to reduce murders in the region.
Hon. Justice Geoffrey Kiryabwire, who officially opened the sitting, urged members of the legal fraternity and other civic leaders to embrace and implement mediation, which now has formal rules. He further noted that the Alternative Justice System, whose White Paper has been approved by Cabinet, will soon be enacted into law.
This will allow local leaders, religious leaders, elders, and community members to participate in justice processes, similar to the traditional systems used in the 1990s.
The Rwizi Region Deputy Police Commander, Patrick Byaruhanga, decried the rise in crime in the area, citing cattle theft, domestic violence, murder, and robbery, as well as challenges related to youth crime and marijuana use.
He emphasized the need for collaboration among all stakeholders to address these issues.
Polly Katwire, the Deputy Resident City Commissioner of Mbarara City, expressed concern over the increasing number of cases arising from loan schemes commonly known as “kafuna.”
The Court of Appeal criminal session will last three days.
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