Karenga, Uganda: Leaders in Karenga District have welcomed the deployment of a resident magistrate after nearly three years without judicial services, with the Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Ronald Kedi Ongodia, calling on government to urgently construct a district prison to strengthen the administration of justice.
Ongodia made the appeal during a District Coordination Committee meeting held at the Karenga Magistrate’s Court, which brought together stakeholders from the Justice, Law and Order Sector (JLOS), security agencies and local government to review progress and challenges in justice service delivery.
He commended the Judiciary and the Government for posting His Worship Padoko Gerald to Karenga, saying the deployment had brought judicial services closer to the people.
“I appreciate the government for bringing this facility. Judicial services are now nearer to the people,” Ongodia said.
For nearly three years, Karenga District operated without a resident magistrate, forcing suspects and litigants to travel to neighbouring Kaabong District for court appearances and detention.
Local leaders said the arrangement stretched security resources, delayed the hearing of cases and made access to justice costly for residents.
Despite welcoming the deployment of a magistrate, Ongodia said the absence of a prison remains a major gap in the justice system.
“There is also a need for a prison. We cannot have a court without a prison. Government should speed up the construction of a prison so that the justice system can function effectively,” he said.
The Deputy RDC also called for expanded legal aid services to support vulnerable residents who cannot afford legal representation.
“We also need legal services for people who cannot afford lawyers so that justice can be accessed by everyone regardless of their financial status,” he added.
Speaking during the meeting, His Worship Padoko Gerald said land disputes would be among the first matters to receive attention because they account for a significant portion of pending cases in the district.
“We shall start with land cases,” the magistrate said.
Stakeholders welcomed the deployment, expressing optimism that the presence of a resident magistrate will help reduce case backlogs, improve access to justice and strengthen the rule of law in Karenga.
The District Coordination Committee meeting brought together representatives from the Judiciary, Uganda Police Force, Uganda Prisons Service, local government and other justice sector institutions to strengthen coordination and improve justice service delivery in the district.
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