BUIKWE — Two more magistrate courts have embraced the new form of justice which is quick at resolving small money disputes.
The latest courts to embrace the new justice system dubbed “Small Claims Procedure” are Lugazi and Buikwe.
This now brings the total number of courts to embrace this new system to 109.
Small Claims Procedure, a new justice procedure, was established by the Judiciary in 2012 to adjudicate over claims whose subject matter does not exceed UGX.10m and lawyers are not involved.
Such matters that are usually quickly disposed of like within less than a month, arise from supply of goods, debts or rent arrears among other commercial disputes.
While presiding over the launch at Mukono Chief Magistrate Juliet Hatanga applauded Grade one Magistrates of Lugazi Stella Amabirisi and Egessa Wilberforce of Buikwe for excellent performance in the region.
At the same, New Grade One Magistrate of Mukono Jackline Kagoya represented the Ag. Registrar of SCP,Lillian Bucyana.
Kagoya urged the court users not to harm their debtors but instead come to court and file their cases under this new justice system.
The Chief Magistrate also announced that Buvuma District has given Judiciary 10 acres to construct a court.
“Buvuma district has 52 islands hence making it hard for the people there to access justice because of long distance and the lake, so the district council has given us 10 acres to set up a court for it’s people.”
Equally, David Butema who also presided over assured the court users that the new justice system once embraced, will curb on the huge case backlog that the Judiciary is battling with.
He also asked them to stop fearing court.
“I need all of you to believe that Courts are here to deliver justice and Small Claims Procedure will definitely deliver justice faster and cheaply,” Justice Butema said.
The LC 5 of Buikwe district, Mr. Mathius Kigongo asked the Judiciary to help sensitize the public widely especially the LC 1s who also help in delivering justice to the communities. “People fear court, but if Judiciary did broad sensitisation and trained the LC 1s, I’m sure there would be improvement in justice delivery.”said the LC 5.
He also mentioned the murder and defilement cases that are escalating daily in the region and asked court to intervene.
The RDC, Ms. Kagaayi Jane Frances, thanked the Judiciary for launching the procedure and vowed to help in telling the people further about it. “This procedure is definitely going to help handle cash matters that I myself have been dealing with, so with the help of the IEC materials, I shall definitely tell those who haven’t attended this launch about it and also hand out the IEC materials.”
