Principal Judge Flavian Zeija has assigned 32 judges to handle election petitions arising from the 14th January polls.
Speaking to the media in Kampala, the Judiciary spokesperson, Jameson Karemani revealed that these are set to handle 155 petitions at both Parliamentary and Local Council level.
“Mbale High Court Circuit will have the highest number of judges, six, to handle 31 election petitions. Jinja Circuit and Civil Division follow each having four judges,” he said.
He said the petitions are going to be heard under revised contingency measures and guidelines to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 as earlier Communicated by the CJ Alfonse Owiny Dollo.
“All parties, lawyers, witnesses and journalists attending Court must observe the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) on mitigation of 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
He also revealed that, they have received Shs1.2billion to handle 155 petitions arising from January 14, 2021, General Elections.
“We have received Shs1.2billion 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,” Karemani said adding that each judge is likely to have Shs170,000 as a daily allowance.
He revealed that the Judiciary has set 16th August as the day to start the exercise of handling the petitions and issue hearing notices thereafter.
Read the full statement below
