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HC: Criminal Division (Uganda)

The Criminal Division is Responsible for hearing all serious criminal offences referred to it by the Magistrates' Courts. According to the Principal Judge's Circular, except for Commercial Court Judges who must attend to only Commercial Court cases, the rest of the Judges of the High Court who are based in Kampala are members of the Criminal Division irrespective of the other Divisions of the High Court that they belong to.

Each of the above judges is supposed to do, at least, one High Court Criminal Session in a year at Kampala

Physical address
High Court Building at Plot 2, the Square.
Visit website
https://judiciary.go.ug/data/smenu/13/Criminal%20Division.html
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November 2025
Kamoga Sakulu and Kirabila Jordan Rahab v Uganda (Criminal Miscellaneous Application 750 of 2025) [2025] UGHCCRD 68 (20 November 2025)
After committal over six months, accused on capital charge must prove "exceptional circumstances" under TIA s.16(3) for bail.
Constitutional bail—Article 23(6) v. Trial on Indictments Act; committal to High Court and six‑month lapse converts mandatory bail to discretionary bail under s.15; capital offences require proof of "exceptional circumstances" under s.16(3); fixed abode and sureties insufficient to establish exceptional circumstances.
 20 November 2025
Walugembe Yasin v Uganda (Criminal Miscellaneous Application 637 of 2025) [2025] UGHCCRD 69 (11 November 2025)
Applicant's mandatory-bail claim failed: committal to High Court within 180 days converts application to discretionary bail requiring exceptional circumstances.
Constitutional law — Article 23(6)(c) — mandatory bail after 180 days — committal to High Court — Trial on Indictments Act (Sections 15–16) — discretionary bail for capital offences — requirement of "exceptional circumstances" — aggravated robbery.
 11 November 2025
Uganda v Kizza Besigye and Another (Criminal Sessions Case 335 of 2025) [2025] UGHCCRD 60 (6 November 2025)
A pending JSC complaint alone does not prima facie render a trial judge’s court non-independent or biased.
Constitutional reference – Article 137(5)(a) and (b) – requirement of a prima facie substantial question of constitutional law before referral; Judicial Service Commission complaint – pending complaint against trial judge does not, without more, disqualify the court or mandate constitutional referral; Fair trial – perception of bias vs. demonstrable basis for referral; Articles 28(1) and 44(c).
 6 November 2025