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Reinstate LC1, LC2s to resolve case backlog - Gulu chief magistrate
Justice Agustine Nshimye Ssebuturo (right), the Chief Inspector of Courts, and acting Inspector of Courts Tadeo Asiime (centre) interact with court users at Gulu High Court on Tuesday. Photo by Cissy Makumbi
What you need to know:
- Justice Ssebuturo asked judicial officer to always be friendly to the court users, adding that there is now an information desk that will help the court users who are seeking assistance to be directed where they can be helped.
- Early this year, EC spokesperson Jotham Taremwa said elections of LC1 and 2 chairpersons would be held in the next financial year.
Gulu. Gulu Chief Magistrate Deogratius Ssejemba has asked President Museveni to reinstate Local Council (LC) 1 and 2s, arguing that they are paramount in resolving some cases within their jurisdictions, especially those that are land related.
He made the request on Tuesday during a meeting between officials from the Inspectorate of Courts and the Gulu Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Cpt Santo Okot Lapolo.
“I want to appeal to the RDC so that he takes the message to the President that LC1 and LC2s are important in resolving land disputes because they know these cases better,” Mr Ssejemba said.
He added: “They are always in the grassroots and know the people and therefore can also help them deal with cases, thus avoiding delays and case backlog in courts”.
The Chief Inspector of Courts, Justice Augustine Nshimye Ssebuturo, said despite the fact that LC1 and LC2s are still not legal, they are respected people whose duties are helpful to the judicial court in resolving cases.
LCs praised
“In most of the cases that are land related, judicial officers need to visit the land in question but at times the Judiciary has no funds, thus delaying the disposing of such cases, but with LCs the matters can be resolved faster,” Justice Ssebuturo said.
He called for more funding to the Judiciary and increase of manpower. At the moment the government gives Shs6 billion annually to the Judiciary which according to Justice Ssebuturo is too small. There are 49 judges, instead of the needed 80.
Justice Ssebuturo asked judicial officer to always be friendly to the court users, adding that there is now an information desk that will help the court users who are seeking assistance to be directed where they can be helped.
The Electoral Commission last held LC1 and LC2 elections in 2001. These village leaders’ terms of office expired 10 years ago on May 12, 2006.
Only elections at LC3, district, parliamentary and presidential level have since been held under a multi-party system of governance.
Early this year, EC spokesperson Jotham Taremwa said elections of LC1 and 2 chairpersons would be held in the next financial year.
