Uganda - Judicial system



In 1995, the government restored the legal system to one based on English common law and customary law. At the lowest level are three classes of courts presided over by magistrates. Above these is the chief magistrate's court, which hears appeals from magistrates. The High Court hears appeals and has full criminal and civil jurisdiction. It consists of a chief justice and a number of puisne justices. The three-member Court of Appeal hears appeals from the High Court. A military court system handles offenses involving military personnel. Village resistance councils (RCs) mediate disputes involving land ownership and creditor claims. These councils have at times overstepped their authority in order to hear criminal cases including murder and rape. RC decisions are appealable to magistrate's courts, but ignorance of the right to appeal and the time and cost involved make such appeals rare. In practice, a large backlog of cases delays access to a speedy trial.

Although the president retains some control of appointments to the judiciary, the courts appear to engage in independent decision-making and the government normally complies with court decisions. Uganda accepts the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice with reservations.

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User Contributions:

It really good according to me as a University student who does business law
WOULD LIKE TO GET THE FULL DOCUMENTED RESEARCH ON LITIGATION AND ITS PROCESSES IN UGANDA
Our judicial system is then Good and would be better if it exercised its independent mandate--should not allow external powers to interfere in its decision making.
I would feel so happy and contented if these were expanded basing on the current system because since the one discussed above seem to have changed. Change is evident that we no longer have Resistance Councils (RCs) but rather Local Councils (LCs).
considering the ancient articles of our colonialists is quiet good since the common law system we're following is based on defendant and the compliant.

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