Formal courts letting people down - minister

Local Government minister Adolf Mwesige (R) displays a copy of the revised standard rules of procedure for Local Government Councils in Kampala yesterday. PHOTO BY Dominic Bukenya

What you need to know:

The call. Mr Mwesige says local council courts should be supported in resolving their own disputes.

Kampala.
Formal courts in Uganda are not serving the local people effectively, the Minister of Local Government, Mr Adolf Mwesige, has said.
Mr Mwesige was speaking at the launch of the revised standard rules of procedure for Local Government Councils yesterday in Kampala.

“We need support for the local courts such that the local people can resolve their own disputes. In my view, the formal courts have let the people down,” Mr Mwesige said.
He said once fully operational, the local council courts will enhance stability and ensure peace within the localities of their operation
However, Judiciary spokesperson Erias Kisawuzi said the formal courts are still very important to the local people because the local council courts are limited in terms of expertise and jurisdiction.

“We can’t deal away with the formal courts because the local council courts are complimentary to them. Our courts are not everywhere and this gap should be filled with the local courts, which are cheaper, user friendly and accessible.”

Legality of Local councils
On the legality of local councils, Mr Mwesige said Cabinet had already discussed and resolved to have the local council elections soon.
In 2006, the Constitutional Court nullified provisions of laws establishing the local, women and youth councils, rendering the village bodies illegal.

About the Local Councils
Cases. The 2006 Local Council Courts Act empowers the local council courts to deal with such cases such as debts, contracts, assault and battery, conversion, damage to property and trespass.

Others include civil disputes governed by customary laws such as those in respect of land held under customary tenure, disputes concerning marriage, marital status, separation, divorce or the parentage of children; disputes relating to the identity of a customary heir and customary bailment.
Punishment. Those found guilty by the courts are fined, sentenced to community service or imprisoned.