Story by Aggrey Twesigye
The Deputy Chief Justice of Uganda, Dr. Zeija Flavian, on Thursday officially commissioned the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Sheema District — a major step forward in strengthening the delivery of justice in the region.
Previously, court operations in Sheema were housed in a few cramped rooms at the Kagango Town Council building, which served as makeshift chambers, a registry, archives, and exhibit stores.
Speaking at the commissioning, Chief Magistrate Lucy Kabahuka disclosed that the court is currently handling 821 cases.
She noted that most of these are civil matters, particularly land disputes and debt recovery, while criminal cases are primarily linked to petty theft involving coffee, matooke, and cattle — often within domestic settings.
In his remarks, Dr. Zeija commended Sheema District leaders for allocating land to the judiciary for the court’s construction.
He underscored the importance of the new court building in enhancing access to justice by bringing legal services closer to residents.
“This court will not only reduce congestion in other jurisdictions but also restore public confidence in the justice system by ensuring timely handling of cases,” he said.
The facility is expected to serve as a cornerstone for improving legal service delivery and promoting rule of law in Sheema and surrounding areas.
