KAMPALA, Uganda | Mbarara and Bwizibwera have received new grade one magistrates to the magistracy in a move to foster justice delivery, solve case backlog, and strengthen collaboration among stakeholders. His Worship Kayanja Smith (Bwizibwera) and Her Worship Nasasira Sheeba (Mbarara).

The magistrates were welcomed by His Worship Baguma Alex, who, during the Mbarara District Coordination meeting, represented the Chief Magistrate of Mbarara at Bwizibwera Magistrates Court Hall.

Baguma noted that Bwizibwera and Rubindi magistrates’ courts have now received substantive magistrates commending the judicial officers for their dedicated service and also informed members that Mbarara High Court Circuit would soon have a new resident judge.

Her Worship Kayanja Smith, the new grade one magistrate at Bwizibwera, expressed her appreciation to the stakeholders for the cooperation in fostering justice but raised concern about the frequent absence of probation officers when juveniles appear in court. He further added that the extended detention of suspects at police stations and failure of accused persons to return to court after being granted bail is a setback in justice delivery.

The meeting, which was attended by the Ag. OC mbara ASP Atwine Gideon, who emphasized the lack of separate detention facilities for women and juveniles, putting their rights at risk. Ms. Ikareut Caroline, the person in charge of Mbarara Women’s Prison, raised concerns about female inmates with special medical conditions requiring urgent attention.

Ms. Benita Namusisi from the legal aid noted that the improvements in case resolution time since the appointment of substantive magistrates and Bwizibwera. Ms. Asiimwe Alison, the senior probation and welfare officer, stated that she is informed late or not at all when juveniles are brought to court but also pointed out inadequate facilitation for inquiries, social reports, and juvenile transportation to remand homes.

In attendance were the DISO, the OC station in Mbarara, a representative from the OC CID, the community officer, the senior probation officer, legal officers, and a representative from the Legal Aid Clinic of the Uganda Law Society.