Court fees, fines to be paid via mobile money

Kabale.
Judiciary is planning to adopt use of mobile money service to enable clients settle financial-related business with courts.

Currently, clients pay court fees through banks which sometimes are unfavourable because of long queues and inadequate time.

The Judiciary assistant public relations officer, Mr Araali Kahoro Muhiirwa, said at Kabale High Court on Wednesday that consultations on the matter are ongoing with all the stakeholders. “We are planning to introduce the use of mobile money services as an alternative means in which court users can pay fines, court bail money and fees,” Mr Muhiirwa said.
“We feel that once this is done, it will offer quick services to court users and also reduce the litigation time in our courts,” he added.

Mr Muhiirwa was speaking during the Justice Law and Order Sector meeting that was chaired by Justice Augustine Nshimye.

His remarks came after the speaker of Central Division in Kabale Municipality Mr Julius Tituryebwa complained about the inconvenience suffered by court users as they line up in banks to pay court fees.

The deputy director of Uganda Law Development Centre, Mr Florence Nakachwa, advised magistrates to always handle plea cases during morning hours to allow court users enough time to pay court fees.

Residents also complained of several court adjournments which cost them time and resources. They claimed some police officers connive with accused persons to frustrate the complainants.
Others also complained against police demanding money to offer them services.

Commissioner of Police Edison Gumisiriza advised the aggrieved persons to report to the Inspector General of Government any police officer that demands for facilitation before offering police services.