NTUNGAMO – Judiciary and local leaders in Ntungamo District have raised concern over the soaring backlog of murder cases, attributing the trend to complainants’ failure to follow up on their cases and reluctance to bring witnesses to court.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Presiding over the second criminal court session of the High Court in Ntungamo, which handled 50 cases, Kasese Resident Judge Lawrence Tweyanze Karikwitsya noted that the general public is hesitant to follow up on cases, resulting in a backlog.
This follows a revelation by Grace Atwongyire, Deputy Registrar of the Mbarara High Court Circuit, that Ntungamo was designated to have its own High Court Circuit in 2023.
The judiciary is currently working to operationalize it, as the Mbarara circuit is overwhelmed by 4,659 cases, 1,436 of them criminal, including a backlog of over 700 cases originating from Ntungamo District.
Judge Tweyanze urged the public to enroll their cases through the Electronic Court Case Management System (ECCMS) to prevent corruption, bribery, and conmen at courtrooms, as well as to avoid trekking long distances to Mbarara and wasting time.
Cue in: Tweyanze on digital courts. RR.
Addressing a full courtroom of suspects, witnesses, lawyers, government officials, the public, and magistrates at Ntungamo Magistrate Court, he appealed to suspects to embrace the plea bargain system.
He urged them not to waste the court’s time if they know they committed the offenses, arguing that pleading guilty early would allow them to receive lighter sentences instead of prolonging the trial.
Cue in: Tweyanze on plea bargain. RR.
Justice Tweyanze said the 40 days shall be summarized in a maximum of 10 days if court officials do as expected and witnesses cooperate.
However, Ntungamo District Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Kiiza Fedelis blamed the soaring crime cases on the geographical size and population of the district.
He noted that based on the 2024 census report, the population of Ntungamo District is 552,786, with 45% males and 55% females.
The first High Court session in Ntungamo was held in October 2025, presided over by Gulu Resident Judge, Lady Justice Hellen Omara, while the current session began on Monday, April 17, and is set to end by June 15.
The cases being heard include 17 of aggravated defilement, 25 of murder, 3 of aggravated robbery, 4 of rape, and 1 of kidnapping with intent to kill, most of which date back to between 2012 and 2023.
Other speakers included Ntungamo Chief Magistrate Gordon Muhimbise, Chief State Attorney Atim Jacqueline, RDC Miriam Kagaiga Mugisha, LCV Chairman Samuel Mucunguzi, and Defence Counsel Onesmus Matsiko.
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