The chairperson community service program in the courts of judicature Justice Tadeo Asiimwe has called for revision of discretion in adjudicating cases with high level community concerns.
Justice Asiimwe argues that judicial officers should not only determine who to award punishments like community service as it may be misconceived by the complainants.
Currently the law gives judicial officers discretion to award any form of punishment, including community service on petty crimes an issue stakeholders say some offenders though petty offenders may carry community concerns like those involved in theft of animals and agriculture products.
Justice Asiimwe was speaking at a meeting of Justice, law and order sector held at Ntungamo Magistrate’s court held to discuss the state of community service justice.
The meeting was also attended by chairperson Uganda law reform commission, heads of community service at Uganda Police, Uganda prisons, ministry of gender, Uganda law society, and Ntungamo district leaders among others.
The Ntungamo Chief Magistrate Gordon and four Grade I Magistrate’s courts at Rubaare, Rwashamaire, Ruhaama and Bwongyera have awarded 168 community service orders since this year began.
Community service order is a nature of punishment in which an offender on conviction serves while coming from home by performing community work at a government or public facility.
