CJ explaining the use of Criminal Book before handing it over to Phillip Odoki the Kitgum High Court Senior Resident Judge (Right). Photos by Denis Opoka
By Denis Opoka
Kitgum: Residents of Kitgum district are excited about the launch of the High Court Circuit.
For years, complainants in the district been traveling a minimum of 103 kilometers to Gulu High Court Circuit to seek justice.
On March 11, Chief Justice (CJ), Alfonse Chigamoi Owiny-Dollo launched the Kitgum High Court under the theme: “Enhancing Judicial Accountability and Access to Justice.”
The court will serve the districts of Kitgum, Lamwo, and Karenga, as well as Pader and Agago districts, until the launch of the Patongo High Court Circuit in the Agago district.
Jenifer Amono Opira, a resident of Central Cell in Kitgum Municipality, believes that the Kitgum High Court Circuit will restore the hope to the people of Kitgum and neighboring districts.
“…when cases are transferred from the Chief Magistrate Court to the High Court, many complainants tend to abandon their cases. This often leads to the acquittal of the accused person due to lack of evidence against them,” Amono argued.
Francis Okwera, a teacher at Layamo Primary School in Kitgum Matidi Town Council and resident of Lemu East Cell in Kitgum Municipality, said that transporting witnesses to Gulu High Court has been expensive.
The distance from Kitgum Municipality to Gulu City is 103 kilometers. However, complainants who reside in remote areas such as Orom sub-county, travel more than 150 kilometers to access justice.
“Sometimes a complainant may need to transport up to 6 witnesses to Gulu High Court from either Kitgum or Lamwo district, which can be very expensive. The cost of transportation alone can be significant, not to mention the lawyer’s fees,” Okwera explained.
Oyet Sisto Ocen, the Chairperson of Lamwo District, was arrested for contempt of court in 2023 and imprisoned for a month at the beginning of this year.
However, when Ocen appealed the decision of the Kitgum Chief Magistrate at Gulu High Court, he was transported to Gulu at a high speed that terrified him.
“It took only 35 minutes to cover the distance from Kitgum to Gulu City, which was a terrible speed that could have resulted in a fatal accident,” Oyet narrated.
Chairperson Board of Kitgum NGO Forum, Ventorino Otto, shared that the Kitgum High Court Circuit will help tackle the backlog of cases involving people in East Acholi.
Kitgum acquires land for judiciary
Arwai Christopher Obol, the Chairperson of Kitgum District, said the High Court Circuit will help in reducing criminal activities and traditional methods of dealing with criminal cases and reduce congestion in prisons.
“Currently, the Chief Magistrate Court only defers cases and remands those accused of committing capital offences to Kitgum Government Prison, leading to congestion at the prison and a backlog of cases,” Arwai said.
Arwai disclosed that the district has also acquired 16 hectares of land to construct new court halls, offices, judges’ residences and Law Development School in Camcam Cell Pandwong Division Kitgum Municipality.
However, he cautioned people against misusing the High Court Circuit in Kitgum by filing false claims against other people.
Silver Oyet Okeny, a lawyer, suggested for the recruitment of more interpreters who speak Ngakarimojong, since the court will serve Karenga district.
Justice Phillip Mwaka, the Senior Resident Judge of Kitgum High Court Circuit, revealed that the High Court received 851 cases since it started operating in December 2023.
According to Odoki the Kitgum High Court settled 138 cases, while 713 are still pending. Of these cases, 388 are criminal and 325 civil cases. The court also handled 12 Juvenile cases within the same period.
Owiny-Dollo asks advises resident judge
Alfonse Chigamoi Owiny Dollo, the Chief Justice, emphasized that the people of East Acholi should take advantage of the newly launched Kitgum High Court circuit, which fulfils his pledge to bring justice services closer to the people.
Owiny-Dollo advised the resident judge to uphold integrity, avoid any acts of corruption and provide good customer service, so that clients are comfortable while at the court premises.
“No one should be required to pay money to any judge as they are already being paid by the government monthly. Additionally, court fees should be paid to the bank and not to the court itself, as it involves government money,” Owiny-Dollo explained.
The Kitgum High Court is among the 18 high court circuits recently created countrywide by Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo.
Under section 19(2) of the Judicature Act, the chief justice exercises his power and, in consultation with the principal judge, issues sanctuary instrument No. 94 of 2023, creating new High Court Circuits and reorganizing existing ones.
