The Chief Justice, Bart Katureebe yesterday 15 April, 2019 commissioned the Video Conferencing Technology system linking Buganda Road Chief magistrates court to the newly instituted virtual courts at Upper Maximum prison and Luzira Women prison.

The Chief Justice noted that the system will handle mentions as well as hear civil cases and give chance to expert witnesses with busy schedules to testify in real time during court proceedings. The technology which is the first of its kind in the East African Judicial systems will free up Judicial manpower and in the long run shall have more hearings per day in a quicker transparent manner.

The Principal Judge, Yorokamu Bamwine noted that the system will help address case backlog and delays in handling of cases.

The DPP applauded the system on witness protection and exhibit / evidence examination.

The Commissioner General of Prisons, Can. Dr. Johnson Byabashaija on his part noted that the Service has been spending 1.7 billion on fuel to transport 1,612 prisoners daily to various courts across the country with 70% on mention. The new technology will reduce the cost of transport significantly. The system will reduce the length of stay on remand and also provide protection to Judicial officers and prisons staff from dangerous, unstable and aggressive prisoners.