By Aggrey Twesigye
Residents in Mbarara City have voiced frustration over delayed justice and alleged corruption within the judiciary during a public dialogue organized by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The meeting, held under the theme of tackling gender-based violence, land crimes, and refugee protection, drew strong reactions from community members, who called for a more transparent, efficient, and fair justice system.
Participants demanded quicker access to legal services and an end to extortion and malpractice in judicial processes.
Rwizi Region Police Commander Alfred Bangambaki acknowledged the concerns, attributing delays partly to a shortage of state attorneys in the region. He urged the DPP’s office to deploy more personnel to improve case handling and service delivery.
He also highlighted the prevalence of land disputes, noting that conflicts over property sharing among families continue to burden the region.
Western Region RDC Commissioner James Mwesigye pointed to entrenched corruption within the judiciary as a major contributor to the persistent case backlog.
Meanwhile, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions in charge of management services, John Baptist Asiimwe, acknowledged staffing gaps but assured residents that efforts are underway to strengthen capacity and improve the efficiency of the justice system.
