(L-R): Hon. Justice Michael Elubu, the Head of Division and Hon. Justice Makumbi
The Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court this afternoon convened its first stakeholder meeting under the leadership of Justice Michael Elubu, the Head of Division. The engagements ought to strengthen collaboration and establish a regular platform for dialogue with key stakeholders.
In his opening remarks, Justice Elubu emphasized that such meetings will now be held quarterly to give stakeholders the opportunity to raise concerns and share feedback. He encouraged participants to voice their issues freely, assuring them that the Division would make deliberate efforts to address them. To enhance communication, he proposed the creation of a WhatsApp group to facilitate continuous interaction with stakeholders, including the Financial Intelligence Authority.
On logistical concerns, Justice Elubu acknowledged the persistent parking challenges, particularly during high-profile cases that attract large audiences. He announced that these cases will now be handled at the Judiciary headquarters, a move expected to ease congestion. He further revealed that the administration is engaging neighboring institutions to explore sustainable solutions to the space challenges affecting both staff and court users.
Justice Elubu commended his predecessor, Justice Lawrence Gidudu, for his exceptional service, describing him as having left "big shoes to fill." He pledged to build on this strong foundation, while urging staff to stay updated on developments in the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS) for better coordination. He also reiterated the Division’s commitment to prioritizing old cases in order to reduce backlog.
Addressing space constraints, Justice Elubu explained that the Division is currently sharing facilities with the Family Division, which continues to run its sessions. For the interim, the two Divisions will continue sharing space while discussions with neighboring institutions on possible long-term solutions continue.
Justice Elubu stressed that his leadership will remain people-centered, committed to the timely and fair delivery of justice. He thanked stakeholders for the warm welcome and pledged that these meetings would become a regular feature of the Division's engagement strategy.
Justice David Makumbi echoed this commitment, assuring stakeholders of an open-door policy and encouraging them to raise any concerns without hesitation. He also cautioned staff to exercise extra care when handling attachments in ECCMIS, advising them to be intentional when titling and uploading documents to avoid errors and confusion.
Stakeholders welcomed the new leadership of Justice Elubu, Justice Makumbi, and other judicial officers, pledging continued cooperation. They expressed appreciation that backlogged cases were being scheduled, with many of their earlier concerns already being addressed. They also welcomed constructive criticism as a pathway to improved service delivery.
The meeting further discussed the role of the ODPP Backlog Committee, which identifies stagnant cases and addresses delays, often by assigning additional prosecutors or resolving challenges within the police.
The engagement brought together representatives from the Uganda Police Force, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Inspectorate of Government, the Criminal Investigations Department, prosecutors, and other stakeholders. Also present were Chief Magistrate HW Rachael Nakyazze, Principal Magistrate Grade I HW Paul Mujuni, Magistrates Grade I Research and select court staff.
The meeting was moderated by HW Patrick Talisuna, the Ag. Assistant Registrar of the Division.
Posted 15th, September 2025
