justice 14 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Judge Slams Police Investigations After Ntungamo Court Session Concludes 50 Cases
Justice Lawrence Tweyanze has strongly criticized the quality of police investigations in Ntungamo District, citing tampered evidence and inadequate training during a recent High Court criminal session. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/judge-faults-police-investigations-after-concluding-50-cases-in-eight-days-5459998
A recent eight-day High Court criminal session in Ntungamo District, which concluded on May 13, 2026, saw 50 cases heard and at least 18 individuals convicted of serious offenses including murder and defilement.
Presiding Judge Lawrence Tweyanze Karikwisya expressed significant dissatisfaction with the investigative work carried out by the police. He noted instances of compromised exhibits and a lack of forensic reports in crucial cases.
“Police have betrayed us, they have betrayed the office of DPP because many cases were poorly investigated, exhibits have been tampered and altered,” Justice Tweyanze stated during his summation. He highlighted specific examples where evidence was seemingly contaminated or insufficient, making it difficult for the court to reach definitive conclusions.
The judge also pointed to a deficiency in basic investigative skills among some officers, including their ability to record statements and handle evidence effectively. “Investigating officers need further training, some even do not know how to write statements, they can’t write good English,” he observed, suggesting a need for immediate improvements within the police force in Ntungamo.
Beyond investigative shortcomings, Justice Tweyanze touched upon challenges with alternative justice mechanisms and plea bargains in the district, attributing these issues to factors like ignorance, pride, and political interference. He alleged that political meddling affected the proceedings of at least one case during the session.
Court records revealed that out of the 50 cases, 8 accused persons were found with no case to answer, 2 died while on remand, one was returned to Mbarara, and 3 remand prisoners were granted bail. Ten cases were set aside due to the absence of the accused, and 11 were dismissed because witnesses failed to testify.
Sentences handed down ranged from 50 years imprisonment for murder and defilement to 10 years for a 65-year-old woman who pleaded guilty to killing her husband. The judge noted her age and plea contributed to the lighter sentence.
This session was the second High Court criminal sitting in Ntungamo within a year, highlighting a growing case backlog and rising crime levels that are expected to lead to the district receiving its own resident judge soon.