The High Court criminal session at Entebbe Chief Magistrates’ Court has commenced with a total of 80 criminal cases scheduled to be heard. The sessions, which started on Monday, January 15, 2024, are presided over by the Head of the Criminal Division of the High Court, Justice Michael Elubu, and the Deputy Head, Justice Alex Ajiji Mackay.
The cause list, signed by the Court’s Deputy Registrar, Festo Nsenga, reveals that aggravated defilement tops the list with 45 cases. Murder follows with 15 cases, aggravated robbery with 14 cases, and rape with six cases.
“The cases are going to be handled in 40 days,” Nsenga disclosed.
Justice Elubu has already completed seven cases, while Justice Ajiji has completed four cases. Before the sessions commenced, the Judges held pre-session meetings with stakeholders, including the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Police, Prisons, advocates, and probation officers, to discuss and agree on the procedures to be followed during the session.
On July 21, 2020, Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo issued guidelines for conducting criminal sessions in courts of judicature. These guidelines include holding pre-trial cases conferencing for all cases to determine matters related to witnesses, evidence, and trial periods.
