Kampala — THE Government should appoint at least 10 more judges to replace those who have retired this year, the Principal Judge has said.

Justice James Ogoola said some judges of the Supreme Court and others of the High Court had reached retirement age.

He said although 12 judges were recently sworn in, more judges were needed to clear the backlog of court cases.

According to the Constitution, judges of the High Court retire at 65.

Ogoola, who is also the patron of the Prison Fellowship in Uganda, was presiding over a fundraising dinner at Hotel Africana on Sunday where over sh2m was raised.

He said there was need to appoint more judges to work in the anti-corruption and war crime courts that were established recently. "Anti-corruption and war crime courts are special programmes that need urgent attention. The Judiciary cannot move without enough manpower," he said.

Rene Forceville, the French ambassador, appealed to well-wishers to support prisoners and their families.

"There are many children born by mothers who are remanded in prisons but they need the basics of life such as shelter, clothes, education, food, care and love," he said.