Courts Close as new Museveni COVID-19 Directives bite
Judicial services have grounded to a halt following the
president’s directive suspending non-essential business in the country. The
Supreme Court, High Court, Anti-Corruption Court and War Crimes Division were
this morning found to be under lock and key.
All judgments and rulings that were scheduled for delivery at
the Supreme Court today have been halted until further notice. Our reporter saw
a communication sent by the Supreme Court Deputy Registrar, Lawrence Tweyanze
to security via Whatsapp stating that the Presidential Directive was
self-explanatory and had thus affected court business.
He explained that another date would be communicated for
delivery of the judgments. Key among the rulings that had been scheduled
relates to the ejection of six Members of Parliament from newly created
municipalities from parliament who wanted a stay of execution of the
Constitutional Court decision until the appeal challenging the same is
determined.
Electoral Commission lawyer, Eric Sabiiti said he got
information about the adjournment at night when he had reached Masaka from his
upcountry home. Clients who turned up at the Anti-Corruption Court were
also stranded as the registry was locked with no judicial officer in vicinity
apart from security.
One of the police officers was seen busy fetching water to
ensure that whoever wants to access the court premises first washes their
hands. Until Monday, court business was moving on smoothly in line with the
directives from the Chief Justice, Bart Katureebe issued on March 19th,
2020.
Katureebe had stopped all court hearings and public
appearances for 32 days and clarified that courts would continue to attend to
urgent civil matters, take plea for serious criminal offenses and bail
applications. Consequently, the Constitutional Court, Buganda Road
and Rubaga Magistrate’s court remained operational.
The Judiciary Spokesperson, Solomon Muyita told URN that they
were equally affected by the presidential directive since the Judiciary wasn’t
listed among the essential services. He however, said the Chief Justice has
sought guidance from the Prime Minister and will communicate to the public one
he gets feedback.
On Monday night, President Museveni for the sixth time in a
space of two weeks addressed the nation on more drastic measures the country
needs to take to cab the spread of the corona virus pandemic thereby halting
all non-essential movements and businesses. Museveni has since advised those
with emergency cases to contact their respective Resident District
Commissioners for permission to travel.
