Ntungamo High Court Opens Criminal Session, Targets Faster Trials of 50 Cases

A new criminal session of the High Court has started in Ntungamo for the second time in a year, set to hear 50 felonious cases. The presiding judge, Kasese Resident Judge Lawrence Tweyanze Karikwisya, has banned the state from bringing medical doctors who examined victims, Scene of Crime Officers (SOCOs), and Investigating Officers (IOs) as witnesses in court.

Judge Tweyanze noted that it is a waste of court time to bring in police and medical witnesses whose evidence should be presented through affidavits and statements on court record, which the court can rely on to try the suspects.

Addressing a full courtroom of suspects, witnesses, lawyers, government officials, members of the public, and magistrates, he appealed to suspects not to waste court time if they understand they may lose the case, but instead to plead guilty and receive lighter sentences.

The first High Court session was held in October 2025 and was presided over by the Gulu Resident Judge, Lady Justice Hellen Omara. The current session started on Monday, April 17, and is expected to end by June 15.

The Mbarara High Court Circuit Deputy Registrar, Grace Atwongere, said that of the 50 cases to be heard in this criminal session, 25 are murder cases, 17 are aggravated defilement, three are aggravated robbery, and one is kidnapping with intent to kill.

Justice Tweyanze said the 40 days could be reduced to a maximum of 10 days if court officials perform as expected and witnesses cooperate.