KAMPALA — Small Claims Procedure (SCP), a civil claim whose subject matter value does not exceed UGX.10,000,000 has been extended to two more Magistrate Courts including; Lukaya and Sanga as judiciary ensure that access to justice initiative reaches more courts.
Judiciary came up with this procedure as a new form of mediation in matters arising out of the supply of goods, debts, and rent.
The launches of the procedure was presided over by head of Commercial Court, Henry Peter Adonyo who while in Lukaya was joined by the Resident Judge of Masaka, Moses Kazibwe Kawumi.
The Grade 1 Magistrate of Lukaya, Jalia Basajabalaba thanked the judges for making time to launch at her court despite the pandemic challenge.
“As you can all see, this is clearly a scientific launch but we are grateful you’re here and we are ready to embrace this procedure,” she said
Justice Adonyo urged the public to embrace the initiative because it’s sufficient and affordable.
“This initiative was introduced in 2012 and it’s here to help the needy…it deals with debts not exceeding 10 million shillings.” he said.
The Lukaya launch was also attended by religious and Civic leaders who got chance to give opinions about the launch and how judiciary works. The LC3 Mr. Majeva Gerald, applauded the Judiciary for putting the court next to the town council offices.
He also thanked the grade I Magistrate for helping the lower class people. He also asked the judge to come back and do a one day seminar with more people around.
“My Lord, we request that after this pandemic, you and your team come back and sensitize widely so that the people of Lukaya embrace this procedure since our biggest issue in this area is with the money lenders (bakafunas).”
The Lukaya RDC Mr. Caleb Tukaikiriza too applauded the Grade 1 magistrate for her diligence and her good team spirit.
“She has often asked me to mediate in some cases, hence giving the impression that we are all here to deliver Justice to all even if we come from different government institutes.” He also added that this procedure will definitely help the needy but also advised that people should learn how to write proper agreements so that they are not cheated.
While in Lukaya, Justice Kazibwe applauded the Grade 1 Magistrate for a job well done in representing the judiciary.
“The people present for this launch including the Civic leaders have said nothing but nice things about your service.” He also thanked Justice Adonyo for making time to move with the SCP Secretariat to launch the procedure.
He also asked the Ag. Registrar Lillian Bucyana, to come back and sensitize wider with him present since education is key and never ends. “We need another day after covid passes to sensitize more people. I love learning and teaching, and I need everyone here to know that in Masaka region, our courts have an open door policy…we are here to deliver Justice to all.” He said.
In Sanga, the launch was attended by another group of Civic and religious leaders including the Mayor Worship Safari Mugyenyi who represented the RDC Kiruhura. Mr Mugebyi said that they are ready to give the judiciary more land for office space since they are already accommodating prisons, water, local council offices and that police is soon starting construction in the same place.
Mr. Kajwengye Wilson, an aspiring MP Nyabushozi County said that he is ready to rewrite all IEC material to proper local languages.
“As much as we have received this material, the local people do not understand certain technical law terms, hence reason why I worked on the SCP brochure 2 years ago and I am still willing to assist in translating material on all the ADRs such as Plea Bargaining.”
Justice Adonyo thanked the people for taking time off to attend the launch and observing the pandemic safety guidelines.
He also mentioned that the Judiciary has introduced lots of Alternative Dispute Solutions such as; mediation, plea bargaining all to help deliver Justice sufficiently including SCP.. “Judiciary has lots of ADRs although SCP mainly handles debts, although it doesn’t handle murder, rape, family disputes, defilement,” he said.
The people of both Lukaya and Sanga thanked JLOS and the judiciary for introducing the SCP initiative.
