State prosecutors across the country have gone on strike following the government’s failure to make a key commitment on their pay.
Proceedings in many courts around the country have come to a standstill following the sit-down strike.
The strike is a culmination of a series of events that begun in June when state prosecutors warned that they would go on a sit-down strike if government did not increase their salaries and improve their terms of work. After government made no attempt to meet their demands, or at least commit in writing to do so, the state prosecutors decided to follow through with their threat.
On Wednesday, Prisons authorities told NTV that they did their part and brought the inmates required in court as required but they were turned away, pending an amicable solution between government and the prosecutors.
Vincent Emmy Mugabo, the Judiciary spokesperson, says not all all court activity has been affected the strike. He only criminal cases were affected.
However, according to prisons authorities, 90% of the prisoners are on remand over criminal cases.
Relatives of the prisoners who had sought bail for their loved ones were stranded at various courts.
Besides the huge case backlog and congestion in the prisons, police cells are likely to fill up to capacity if the state prosecutors strike continues.