KIRYANDONGO – The Judiciary has launched the small claims procedure (SCP) court in Kiryandongo.
Under the system, a complainant can get judgment within a day although the maximum period for delivering judgment is a month. This is opposed to the old system that can even last for five years or more.
The ‘Small Claims Procedure’ doesn’t involve the use of lawyers, which cuts the costs of the suit.
The process is limited to 30 working days for the siting magistrate to conclude with the case and individuals involved are at liberty to speak the local language.
The launch was presided over by three Justices: the Chairman of SCP and also Court of Appeal justice Hon. Justice Geoffrey Kiryabwire; the Resident Judge of Masindi Hon. Justice Paul Gadenya and the Principal Judge Hon. Justice Flavian Zeija.
Kiryandongo is the 77th district in Uganda to launch the Small Claims Procedure court since it was rolled out in 2012.
Principal Judge Flavian Zeija said the Small Claim Procedure is expected to help the last court user to access justice within their reach.
The Principal Judge mentioned that for a long time, the judiciary has received complaints of cases taking too much time in the court system. “Litigants demand a system that solves matters in a fast and cheap manner, while maintaining harmony amongst each other. SCP has come to solve this,” he said.
Nakawa Magistrate Grade One, Jackline Kagoya, represented the Ag. Registrar of SCP, Lillian Bucyana, at the event which was attended multitudes of religious, civic leaders such as the RDC Peter Debele, CAO Ajwang Dorothy and LC5 Ntaroki Charles.
Justice Gadenya thanked Justice Kiryabwire for being very enthusiastic and passionate about SCP.
He said that Kiryandongo deserves SCP and a substantive Chief Magistrate because it’s a very busy place. “There are too many land issues to be dealt with, a CM is gravely needed here to handle the cases and help with reduction in case backlog,” he added
The Chairman of SCP advised the people of Kiryandongo to feel free to approach the court in case they have disputes.
“Courts are here to help deliver Justice to the public,” he said urging people to always write down agreements for all transactions especially when it comes to money lending.
“Embrace SCP, it’s fast cheap and efficient, but agreements will most definitely help in hearing one’s case.”
