The Court of Appeal has commenced hearing 33 criminal appeals at Kabale High Court.
Among the cases are, 17 for murder, 3 for robbery, 11 for defilement, one for rape, and one for manslaughter. This is the first time the court is sitting in the Kigezi region.
The sessions will be presided over by Justice Muzamiru Kibwedi, Justice Christopher Gashirabake, and Justice Oscar Kihika.
Speaking at the opening of the sessions on Monday, Deputy Chief Justice Richard Buteera emphasized that the process of arbitration and reconciliation should be given priority during the sessions with only the appointment of a mediator.
He added that the judiciary still faces the challenge of case backlog but they are trying their best to work on it.
Julius Kisembo, the Officer in charge of Ndorwa Prison said that the cases were supposed to be 36, but two convicts were released after serving their sentences while another died in 2017.
Yiga Gonzaga, the Officer in charge Criminal Investigations Department for the Kigezi region, and Lawyer Justus Muhangi the Chairperson for Advocates in the Kigezi region applauded the judiciary for bringing the appeal sessions closer to the people.
URN.