The Court of Appeal last week delivered a total of 21 Judgments arising from a Criminal Appeals session held in Fort Portal last month.
This brings it to a total of 32 decisions that have so far been delivered by Justices; Kenneth Kakuru, Christopher Madrama and Irene Mulyagonja.
In the decisions delivered; Nyabendwa Fred and Nakyejwe Erusa had their 45-year jail term sent aside and their conviction quashed and sentences sent aside. “…we find that the evidence adduced by prosecution was insufficient to sustain the charge of murder against each of the appellants,” the Judgment reads in part.
In the Appeal of Asiimwe Richard, the Court sent back the file back to the High Court for retrial after quashing the judgment and setting aside his 25-year sentence on the charge of Murder. The court ordered, “The case file be remitted back to the High Court at Fort Portal for retrial…the Appellant be remanded in custody pending trial which will commence with plea taking before another Judge.”
In five appeals, the Court allowed appeals against sentences and reduced them but maintained the conviction of the High Court
The Court also substituted sentences in 14 appeals.
The Court’s Deputy Registrar, Ayebare Tumwebaze reiterated the Justices’ commitment to deliver the remaining eight decisions within the next one week.
Holding of Regional Appeals sessions is one of the measures put in place by the Court to fight case backlog and bring Justice nearer to the people.
Next week, the Court will be holding another Regional session at Lira High Court where 40 appeals will be handled by a team of Justices, Elizabeth Musoke, Hellen Obura and Remmy Kasule.
Meanwhile a team of Justices; Catherine Bamugemereire, Stephen Musota and Muzamiru Kibeedi are hearing 40 Civil Appeals at the Court’s headquarters.
