The Judiciary has revealed that, it has received Shs1.2 billion to handle 155 petitions arising from January 14, 2021, general elections. The revelation was made by the Jameson Karemani, the spokesperson to Judiciary.

The hearings for the Parliamentary Elections will kick-off on August 16 petitions in the different high Court circuits across the country.

“We have received Shs 1.2billion to handle 155 parliamentary and local council election petitions. We have a budget for each respective court and the money we have got makes us feel we can complete the hearing of these petitions,” Karemani said adding that each judge is likely to Shs 170,000 as a daily allowances.

The Judiciary under the principal judge Dr. Flavian Zeija has assigned 32 judges to expedite the handling of 155 parliamentary and local council election petitions.

According to Jameson Karemani, the spokesperson to the judiciary and parties in the matters will be notified when to appear at various courts by way of hearing notices

“Mbale High Court Circuit will have the highest number of judges, six, to handle 31 election petitions. Jinja Circuit and Civil Division follow each having four judges,” he said.

He said the petitions are going to be heard under revised contingency measures and guidelines to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 as earlier Communicated by the CJ Alfonse Owiny Dollo.

“All parties, lawyers, witnesses and journalists attending Court must observe the standard operation procedures (SOP’s) on mitigation of spread of #Covid-19 as set by the Ministry of Health. Where the parties and the advocates in a single election petition exceed 10 in number, the trial judge shall use audio-visual facilities where it exists or use open space where possible,” he said.