The Judiciary has received Shs1.2b to handle 155 election petitions arising from the January 14, 2021, general elections, reveals Judiciary Spokesperson, Mr Jameson Karemani.
He says hearings for parliamentary election petitions will begin on August 16 in different High Court Circuits across the country.
“We have received Shs1.2 billion to handle 155 parliamentary and local council election petitions. We have a budget for each respective court and the money we have got makes us feel we can complete the hearing of these petitions,” says Mr Karemani.
Principal Judge, Dr Flavian Zeija, has assigned 32 judges to expedite the handling of 155 parliamentary and local council election petitions.
Mr Karemani says parties in the matter will be notified when to appear at various courts by way of hearing notices.
“Mbale High Court Circuit will have the highest number of judges, six to handle 31 election petitions. Jinja Circuit and Civil Division follow each other having four judges while Masindi will have two judges,” he says.
The spokesperson adds that the petitions will be heard under revised contingency measures and guidelines to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 as earlier communicated by the Chief Justice, Alphose Owiny Dollo.
“All parties, lawyers, witnesses and journalists attending court must observe the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 as set by the Ministry of Health. Where the parties and the advocates in a single election petition exceed 10 in number, the trial judge shall use audio-visual facilities where it exists or use open space where possible,” he said.
