Voice of Lango

Gov’t to establish magistrates’ court in Bala Sub County Kole district

17 March 2023, 3:07 pm

From left to right, Lira resident judge, Justice Duncan Gaswaga, principal judge, Dr. Favian Zeija and chief registrar, Sarah Langa Siu at Kole chief magistrates court premises.

By Denish Ongora (denish.ongora@vol.co.ug)

Lira

Principal Judge Dr. Flavian Zeija has cautioned the public against offering bribes to fraudsters who sit around court premises with promise of helping them win court cases.

Speaking at the Court Open Day held at Kole magistrates’ court, Kole district yesterday, Flavian Zeija said those who ask for consultation fee are fraudsters who camp at court premises to con money from the public.

He further cautioned lawyers against overcharging their clients.

Principal judge on fraudsters

Chief Registrar Sarah Langa Siu said they will recruit more resident state attorneys and establish another magistrate’s court in Bala Sub County to bring judicial services closer to the people of Kole.

Sarah Langa on court

This followed request by Kole district chairman Andrew Moses Awany to the judiciary to allow operations of Aboke magistrates’ court to continue and to post a resident state attorney in Kole.

Awany said the district has offered land to police, judiciary  and Uganda prisons service but said Uganda prisons has unfortunately failed to utilize the land.

Awany court

Kole Grade One Magistrate, Nyakairu Edgar said the court situated in Aboke receives about 50 cases monthly with domestic violence, murder, theft of animals and assault topping the list.

Locals who attended the open court day raised several complaints which includes; bribery by people disguising as court officials, case backlog, among others.