JUDICIARY Latest Features

The Chief Justice, Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija, has officially launched the Judiciary's first motor boat in a major step aimed at improving access to justice for island communities.

The launch took place earlier at Brovad Sands Lodge in Kalangala, before proceedings continued at Kalangala Chief Magistrate's Court.

In his remarks, Justice Dr. Zeija described the occasion as a landmark achievement in the Judiciary's efforts to build an inclusive and accessible justice system. He said the introduction of the motor boat is a practical response to long-standing geographical barriers that have hindered access to justice for island communities.

He noted that the initiative is backed by Legal Notice No. 1 of 2026, the Constitution (Operation of Mobile Courts) (Practice) Directions, 2026, which provides for court proceedings to be conducted outside traditional court premises.

The Chief Justice highlighted the high transport costs, danger, and difficulty of travelling across water faced by both litigants and judicial officers. Drawing from personal experience and accounts from residents of hard-to-reach islands such as Mazinga and Buvuma, he observed that many court users incur substantial transport expenses and travel long distances to access judicial services.

He said the Judiciary plans to deploy mobile courts to such islands, with judicial officers and other justice sector actors travelling together to hear cases. He added that the boat will also facilitate safer and more efficient locus visits by judicial officers, reducing the risks previously associated with unreliable shared transport.

Justice Dr. Zeija emphasized that the Judiciary is determined to make access to justice a reality for all citizens, including those living in remote island communities, and urged judicial officers to use the boat to extend services to underserved areas.

He also called for collective responsibility among stakeholders in advancing justice delivery and thanked the Government of Uganda for providing funding for the initiative. He further commended the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Judiciary, Dr. Pius Bigirimana, for initiating the idea of procuring boats to support court operations in hard-to-reach areas.

Looking ahead, the Chief Justice said the launch marks the beginning of broader interventions, including plans to construct permanent court premises and residential facilities for judicial officers and staff in remote locations such as islands.

Speaking at the event, the Principal Judge, Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, said the boat initiative is a significant intervention in addressing the high cost and difficulty of movement between islands. She noted that the launch reflects the Judiciary's commitment to the dignity of the people of Kalangala and its broader mandate to bring services closer to the people.

Lady Justice Abodo urged the Chief Magistrate of Kalangala and her team to use the boat to improve service delivery, stressing that its provision comes with accountability. She also acknowledged the cooperation of stakeholders and reaffirmed the Judiciary's commitment to improving efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery.

Lady Justice Victoria Katamba Nakintu Nkwanga, the Head of the Masaka High Court Circuit, said the boat would significantly support judicial officers in navigating the islands, especially during locus visits. She highlighted the historical and geographical significance of Kalangala, which comprises about 84islands, some of them located near the Tanzanian border and difficult to access. She said the new mode of transport would enhance the speed and efficiency of reaching these areas and improve justice delivery.

The Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Judiciary, Dr. Pius Bigirimana, noted that the Judiciary transformation as a process was initiated in 2021 by the Chief Justice and Top Management through policy pronouncements. He noted that this transformation continues under Senior Management which advises Top Management on administrative and management issues.

He pointed to progress in human resources, financial support for operations, IT automation, and court construction, and commended the Kalangala Chief Magistrate's Court for its efficient service delivery, noting that no complaints of corruption had been raised against the court.

On the issue of mobile courts, Dr. Bigirimana shared that the Judiciary plans to procure a bigger boat to enable judicial officers and other justice sector actors to travel together for court sessions on the islands. He also assured stakeholders that gaps such as the absence of a court clerk, the need for a guardhouse, and fuel for the boat would be addressed.

The Chief Magistrate of Kalangala, HW Alleluya Glory, welcomed the development, saying the new boat would significantly improve access to justice across the islands, particularly in hard-to-reach areas such as Mazinga.

She reported that Kalangala Chief Magistrate's Court currently has 144 pending criminal cases and 79 civil cases, with common matters including cattle theft, domestic violence, and fishing-related disputes.

HW Alleluya also outlined a number of institutional challenges affecting the court, including the absence of a court clerk, the need for a guardhouse for security personnel, and inadequate prison facilities in Kalangala. She nevertheless highlighted the court’s efforts to improve service delivery through Alternative Dispute Resolution, efficient case management, wellness initiatives, and anti-corruption measures.

She further noted that the Judiciary has gazetted two courts in Kalangala, namely Kyamuswa and Bwendero. She added that land has already been allocated for Kyamuswa Court, while efforts are underway to secure land for Bwendero Court.

The Resident District Commissioner for Kalangala, Mr. Fred Badda, said the introduction of the boat would help address persistent access to justice challenges in the district. He observed that movement between islands and access to Kalangala is both lengthy and costly, with hiring a boat ranging between Shs600,000 and Shs800,000.

He commended the team at Kalangala Chief Magistrate's Court for strengthening public confidence in the administration of justice, noting that residents are increasingly willing to travel long distances to seek court services.

The LCV Chairperson of Kalangala, Mr. Ssemakula Rajab, said the district comprises84 islands, 64 of which are inhabited, yet it is served by only one court. He added that Kalangala has only 16 police stations and posts, which further constrains justice delivery.

He thanked the Judiciary for providing the boat and emphasized the need for sustained support to fuel it, given the high fuel costs required for effective service delivery. He also raised the need to establish a court in Bufumira to reduce the distance and cost incurred by litigants pursuing their cases.

The launch was witnessed by senior Judiciary leadership, judicial officers, and key stakeholders from the Uganda Police Force, Uganda Prisons Service, district leadership, religious leaders, and members of the public.

Among those in attendance were Lady Justice Fatuma Nanziri Bwanika, Resident Judge of Masaka; Justice Karoli Lwanga Ssemogerere, Resident Judge of Kabale; and Her Worship Lamunu Pamella Ocaya, Acting Chief Registrar, along with other judicial officers and senior administrators.

Also present were SSP Gad Murungi, Regional Police Commander for Masaka East, Mr. Robert Mutungi, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of Kalangala, among other stakeholders.

The event was moderated by the Judiciary Public Relations Officer, His Worship James Ereemye Jumire Mawanda, assisted by Mr. Deo Akugizibwe, Communications Officer.