Court users at Nakasongola Chief Magistrate’s Court have been equipped with vital knowledge on judicial processes and alternative justice mechanisms following a public awareness campaign conducted by the Judiciary’s Registry of Communications and Public Relations.
The sensitisation session, led by Mr. Abubaker Kagulire, Communications Officer, aimed at enhancing public understanding of court procedures, promoting new justice innovations, and improving service delivery.
Welcoming participants, the Chief Magistrate, HW Bagyenda Hope, encouraged court users to listen attentively and take full advantage of the innovations and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms introduced by the Judiciary to enhance access to justice. She emphasised the Court’s open-door policy, assuring the public that judicial officers are readily available to provide guidance on their cases.
HW Bagyenda noted that the Court handles a significant number of cattle theft cases and encouraged accused persons to consider mediation and plea bargaining as effective means of resolving such matters.
During the session, Mr. Kagulire guided participants through various ADR mechanisms, including Plea Bargaining, Mediation, the Small Claims Procedure, and community service. He explained that the Small Claims Procedure offers a faster, cost-effective avenue for resolving
disputes, while mediation and plea bargaining not only expedite case resolution but also help preserve relationships within communities.
He underscored that these mechanisms are critical in reducing case backlog and ensuring the delivery of quicker, fairer, and more affordable justice.
Mr. Kagulire also reminded court users of the Judiciary’s open-door policy and encouraged them to seek guidance from judicial officers whenever needed. He further highlighted the availability of the Judiciary Call Centre toll-free lines as a platform for inquiries and reporting grievances.
Additionally, participants were taken through the bail process and procedures for bail refunds. Court users were advised to safely keep their bail documents, ensure accuracy when making payments, and open bank accounts to facilitate seamless refund processing.
As part of the outreach, participants received Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials designed to simplify court processes and improve public understanding.
The session concluded with an interactive question-and-answer segment, where participants raised several concerns. Some court users expressed appreciation to the Court for the quality of service and the knowledge shared.
Key concerns included challenges in accessing bail refunds without bank accounts, allegations of false charges arising from misconduct by some law enforcement officers, and public perceptions discouraging individuals from seeking justice through the courts.
These concerns were addressed by the Chief Magistrate, who reassured the public of the Court’s commitment to justice and encouraged them to always bring their matters before court. She urged court users to freely access her office through the court clerk whenever they require assistance.
Also in attendance was HW Murangira Tanazio Hillary, Magistrate Grade One at Nakasongola Court.
In her closing remarks, HW Bagyenda urged court users to embrace the knowledge shared and utilize the available court processes to seek justice effectively. She also appreciated the Judiciary for organizing the sensitization initiative.
