JUDICIARY Latest Features

Participants at the Bar-Bench Meeting,

The Acting Principal Judge, Lady Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga, on Friday chaired a bar-bench meeting at the Supreme Court Conference Hall in Kampala. The engagement provided an open platform to discuss key challenges facing the justice system and to explore practical solutions for improving service delivery.

The meeting was attended by Heads of Divisions, Registrars, Magistrates, and representatives from justice sector institutions, including the Uganda Law Society (ULS),Uganda Police Force, and Uganda Revenue Authority, among others.

In her remarks, the Acting Principal Judge emphasized the importance of regular dialogue between the Bench, the Bar, and partner institutions to strengthen justice delivery. She noted that the meeting's intimate and strategic nature was designed to address overarching policy issues and chart a clear path forward.

Lady Justice Jane commended the Uganda Law Society for its collaboration with the Judiciary, citing the Society’s role in resolving the lawyers’ strike at Masaka High Courtin June as an example of effective cooperation. She recalled that during a meeting between the ULS and the Chief Justice in June, the Chief Justice underscored the need for cordial and professional relations between the Judiciary and the Law Society where both institutions agreed to maintain ongoing communication, coordination, and collaboration while executing their complementary mandates.

The Acting Principal Judge called for greater respect and professionalism in Bar-Bench interactions, expressing concern over personal attacks on judicial officers, particularly on social media. She urged that grievances be raised through proper channels.

On the issue of case backlog, Lady Justice Kajuga noted that the Judiciary has identified the most critical cases and is diligently resolving long-standing matters. She stressed that effective case management and timely disposal of cases is a shared responsibility between the Bar and the Bench, requiring adherence to case management rules and avoidance of unnecessary adjournments.

She further highlighted the Judiciary's promotion of alternative dispute resolution (ADR),particularly mediation, as a key strategy for a people-centered justice system. She encouraged advocates to embrace ADR for faster and amicable dispute resolution, observing that uptake by the Bar is still low.

The Acting Principal Judge called for solution-oriented discussions on bottlenecks hindering justice delivery and stressed collaborative efforts to enhance efficiency, strengthen institutional cooperation, and build public trust in the justice system.

The Acting Chief Registrar, HW Lamunu Pamella Ocaya, highlighted progress since the last bar-bench meeting in September 2024. Key initiatives included the National Court Case Census 2025, ADR rollout and mediator deployment, regular performance review meetings, and the expansion of the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS) to several High Court circuits. Additional efforts involved customer care training, creation of an e-roll for advocates, and streamlined administrative processes in collaboration with the Uganda Law Society and the Law Council. 

HW Lamunu urged participants to engage with respect and shared purpose, emphasizing the ultimate goal of an accessible, transparent, and efficient justice system for all citizens.

Mr. Asiimwe Anthony, Vice President of the Uganda Law Society, welcomed the forum as a reflection of the partnership between the Bar, the Bench, and the public. He emphasized the importance of people-centered justice, praising reforms such as special sessions to reduce backlog, small claims procedures, and the use of technology, including virtual hearings.

He highlighted the Bar's contributions through pro bono work, digital transformation, and continuous legal education, while acknowledging challenges such as delays, disruptive judicial transfers, and limited funding for pro bono services. He stressed that people-centered justice means efficiency, empathy, affordability, and accountability, and that transparency is vital in maintaining public trust. He also pointed to the Bar-Bench Matrix as a valuable accountability tool and called for its regular review.

"The people are watching us, they are counting on us, and history will judge us, not by our titles or by our speeches but by the justice we delivered or failed to deliver," he stated.

Mr. Asiimwe further urged stronger cohesion between the Bar and the Bench, innovation through specialized forums, accessible judgments online, and the training of young lawyers and judicial officers in both skills and values. He concluded by calling for unity, transparency, and reforms that put citizens at the heart of the justice system.

"Together as the Bar and the Bench, let us commit to building a justice system that is not only functional but also faithful to the principles of fairness, unity, and progress," he said.

Key concerns discussed during the meeting included some judicial officers bullying advocates, disruptive transfers of judicial officers, social media attacks on judicial officers, and the need for professional conduct among advocates. Proposed solutions included utilizing established complaint channels, strengthening disciplinary and peer committees, enhancing induction and mentorship programs for young lawyers, and improving the deployment and distribution of judges.

The Uganda Revenue Authority also highlighted the impact of case backlog on tax revenue and called for faster resolution of commercial and tax disputes, timely preparation of court records, and stronger use of arbitration and mediation.