Judiciary suspends court proceedings

The Judiciary has suspended all court activities for the next 32 days in the wake of guidelines released by the government to stop the spread of coronavirus.

In a circular to all judicial officers on Thursday, March 19, 2020, Chief Justice Bart Katureebe said prisoners during this period will not be presented to the court.

“All court hearings and appearances are hereby suspended for the period of 32 days with effect from March 20, 2020. For cases at the stage of submissions, the respective courts may advise the counsel/ parties to file written submissions,” Katureebe said in the circular.

“All execution proceedings are hereby suspended for the same period of time except where attachment has already taken place. Courts will continue to handle certificates of urgency and taking plea for serious cases and bail applications. Only the applicant and their lawyer or in the case of bail application, the sureties will be allowed in court.”

However, he said judicial officers will be required to be on duty but without open court proceedings. Justice Katureebe said all conferences, workshops and foreign travels for judicial officers have been suspended.

“In addition to the above guidelines, sanitizers and other preventive measures have already been put in place. Digital thermometers are also being purchased and will be deployed at various court premises.”

President Museveni on Wednesday gave a directive in which all gatherings were banned for a period of one month over Coronavirus.