Judges to change attire - chief justice

Acting Chief Justice Steven Kavuma

What you need to know:

Justice Kavuma says the head gear scares away witnesses during cross-examinations.

Kabarole- The Judiciary plans to change the judges’ attire while presiding over court to make it friendly to people because the head gear is scary to witnesses, Acting Chief Justice Steven Kavuma has said.

Justice Kavuma said the head dress also known as the wig, worn by the judges during court sessions, makes witnesses feel intimidated while giving testimony.
“The judiciary has found out that in most cases the wig that the judges put on their head scares most of our witness in court whenever they come to give evidence and they end up fearing the judges,” he said.

Justice Kavuma was responding to Mr Moses Ikagobya, the Kabarole District vice chairperson, who expressed concern over the wig, adding that some judges wear gloomy faces when handling court sessions.

Justice Kavuma was presiding over a Court of Appeal on Monday that is sitting in Fort Portal for the first time. The court will handle 30 out of the 64 cases.
Among the cases to be handled include 11 cases of defilement, eight for murder and man slaughter and 10 aggravated robberies.

Justice Kavuma is being helped by Fort Portal resident Judge David Batema and Justice Vincent Ogwang from Gulu who have been handling a mini High Court session.