Court of Appeal to hear 25 criminal appeals next week

What the report says

The Court of Appeal in Kampala is set to hear 25 criminal appeals during a two-day sitting on August 18 and 19, 2026, according to Nile Post. The panel will be led by three justices: Dr Asa Mugenyi, Florence Nakachwa and Stella Alibatesse.

The cause list includes a range of serious offences, with aggravated defilement accounting for 10 appeals, the largest share. Murder cases make up eight of the appeals, while three involve aggravated robbery. The court will also consider two matters linked to diversion of public resources, along with single appeals related to rape and robbery.

Among the listed cases are challenges to a murder death sentence and a life sentence for aggravated defilement. The article says the appellants are being held at Murchison Bay and Luzira prisons, and some lawyers took part in preparatory discussions either in person or online.

Before the hearing, the three justices held a hybrid readiness meeting with court staff, representatives from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and counsel for the appellants. The court said the session is intended to ensure proceedings run smoothly. More broadly, appeal hearings of this kind are a standard part of Uganda’s criminal justice process, allowing higher courts to review convictions and sentences.