The Provincial Police Commander for Northern Province is calling on the Magisterial Services to send another Magistrate to Popondetta to hear all the fresh court cases.
PPC Lincoln Gerari made the call following the local magistrate’s absence from work for several weeks.
Police do not know where the magistrate is, but they know that the cell block at the Popondetta Police Station is currently overcrowded with prisoners awaiting court hearing.
“There are currently 80 prisoners in the cell.”
The PPC says they have tried reducing the bail for minor cases to make up space at the cell; however the number continues to increase each day.
The PPC stressed the importance of the prisoners appearing in court if they are to take the justice system seriously.
“Police also do not have any money to feed all the prisoners and prisoners are currently sharing food that is brought by relatives,” he reveals.
Meanwhile, the Popondetta Magisterial Services says the magistrate is currently on compassionate leave.
The Chief Magistrate’s Office has not responded on how they are going to solve this issue.