By Kabuye Ronald
Residents of Kawempe and neighboring areas have been urged to embrace resolving all their civil disputes below ten million shillings under small claims procedure, an initiative which was introduced by the Judiciary of Uganda.
While officially launching Small Claims Procedure (SCP) at Kawempe Magistrates Court on Thursday, Justice Geoffrey Kiryabwire from Court of Appeal and the Chairperson of Small Claims procedure implementation committee advised those that want cheaper and quicker means of disposing of their financial disputes to embrace this initiative.
At the launch held at Kawempe chief Magistrates Court, on Thursday, Justice Geoffrey Kiryabwire, the Chairperson of Small Claims procedure implementation committee, advised business people around the area to embrace this initiative in solving their financial disputes because it’s cheap and takes little time compared to other methods.
“Some people open up cases at Police that some one bought a boda Boda and didn’t pay, Police opens up a case on obtaining money by false pretense Police if some one buys a boda and doesn’t pay, to use small claims Many people on debts end up in prison, the person who has lost a boda doesn’t get anything. They say that you have sent a person to Luzira what about me…if you want money to replace the Boda Boda u lost…don’t go to Police come to small claims As judges we have no problem, whatever you opt for, we act accordingly “
“You may see me as a rich person basing on the suit am put on and you say that this judge has money, but let me tell you, am a poor person. When some body takes my money, I don’t want that person in prison, I just want my money back, that’s why I prefer small claims Procedure. It’s only the rich people with some money behind who may prefer sending someone to prison because of a debt.”
Kiryabwire emphasized that it’s not good to compile people especially those of productive age on remand in prison when there are several means of Alternative Dispute Resolution through which these matters can be amicably settled with in a short period of time.
He promised on behalf of the Judiciary to train religious leaders, traditional leaders and political leaders about small claims procedure, so that they can support people in their communities to resolve matters that don’t require full court hearing.
Hajji Noor Njuki, the Deputy Resident City Commissioner (RCC) of Kawempe, applauded Kawempe Chief Magistrate Roseline Nsenge for ensuring that people receive timely justice.
Her Worship Zulaika Nanteza, the Registrar in charge of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in the Judiciary warned the people against conmen who present themselves as middlemen at court adding that all Judicial work is conducted in the Registry and Magistrates chambers by Judicial staff.
About small claims Procedure, Nanteza asked people to be vigilant while entering into agreements with money lenders because many are duped to consent on different things than those agreed upon, which makes it hard for court wherever they want to establish the truth about any given matter.
“When they have lent you money, don’t sign on an agreement which says that you have sold to some body that item you have provided as security because it may be so hard for a Judicial officer to nullify such an agreement.”
Her Worship, Roseline Nsenge, the Kawempe Court Chief Magistrate, revealed that before the official launch of small claims procedure at this five-month-old court, they have successfully held a good number of cases on the same.
“This court commenced it’s operations in January 2025 , the Registrars told us that even though you’re babies , you can start small claims. We agreed, so far we have had 98 registered cases, out of which 45 have been settled, 27 cases were opened officially with out demand notices and 10 of these have been already solved.” remarked Nsenge
Members from the community who attended this event, thanked the Judiciary for having thought of them and established a court with in their area which has saved them money and time trekking longer distances to follow up on their cases in distant courts.
Small claims are handled in Chief Magistrate’s Courts within the local limits where the cause of action arose or where the defendant resides.
Before filing a claim, the claimant must issue a written notice of demand to the intended defendant, giving them 14 days to settle the claim.
If the dispute remains unresolved after the notice period, the claimant can file a claim form with the court, attaching the notice of demand, proof of service, and any relevant documentation.
The court will schedule a hearing where both parties can present their case. The judicial officer will make a judgment, either immediately or within 14 days of the hearing.
