The Deputy Chief Justice Richard Buteera officially opened the hearing of 47 criminal cases by the Court of Appeal in Mbale.

The hearing will last three days, having begun on Monday at Mbale High Court.

The sessions will be presided over by Justices Hellen Obura, Catherine Bamugerereire and Christopher Madrama.

The list of the 47 cases fixed for hearing comprises 25 murder appeals, 13 aggravated defilement cases, 05 aggravated robberies, 02 rape and 02 manslaughter.

While addressing the media at the Mbale High Court on Monday, Deputy Chief Justice Richard Buteera, said that the criminal hearing sessions have been hindered by the limited number of judges in the judiciary which he said has constrained the administration of justice in the country.

He said, the judiciary is planning to recruit more judicial officers in the next financial year to curb up on the delays of the cases in the Court of Appeal.

Godfrey Namundu, the senior resident Judge at Mbale high court said the delayed of hearing of cases of criminal appeals have kept the number of cases increased, for new cases emerging.