JUDICIARY Latest Features

Heads of High Court Circuits, Divisions Gather in Entebbe for A Two-Day Retreat to Review First Quarter Performance

High Court Judges heading Divisions and Circuits across the country have begun a two-day Quarterly Review retreat at the Imperial Golf View Hotel in Entebbe to assess first quarter performance and develop strategies to address persistent case backlog in the Judiciary.

Opening the retreat on behalf of the Deputy Chief Justice, Justice Christopher Madrama congratulated Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo on her recent appointment as Principal Judge. He described her appointment as a reaffirmation of the Judiciary's commitment to strong, steady leadership focused on strengthening the administration of justice.

Delivering the Deputy Chief Justice's remarks, Justice Madrama conveyed greetings from Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija, who is away attending the International Conference of Chief Justices in New Delhi, India. He stressed that the Quarterly Review is not a routine engagement but an essential management tool under the Administration of the Judiciary Act, guiding judicial governance, accountability, and strategic direction.

Justice Madrama presented highlights from the High Court's first quarter analytical report, noting progress but also pointing out areas that require deeper reflection. 

He also noted the stark performance disparities among Circuits-citing strong gains such as the Family Division's disposal of over 2,400 cases and Kiboga's 39 percent backlog reduction, contrasted with stagnation in high-volume circuits including Lugazi and the Commercial Division.

He urged Judges to look beyond statistics and critically examine the root causes of performance gaps, from heavy caseloads and concurrent assignments to limited jurisdiction at lower court levels. Justice Madrama called for a balance between quantitative and qualitative outputs, encouraging the use of ADR, meaningful case disposals, and reliable digital operations through ECCMIS. He appealed for candid ,solution-oriented deliberations that would produce actionable reforms.

In her first Quarterly Review meeting as Principal Judge, Lady Justice Abodo delivered remarks that were both appreciative and forward-looking. She expressed gratitude to Judges for their work, noting the isolating nature of judicial responsibility, and reassured them of her commitment to collaborative leadership.

She highlighted significant achievements stemming from consistent quarterly engagements, including improved case disposal rates, shrinking backlog in several circuits, revitalised mediation efforts, effective plea bargaining, and strengthened statistical accuracy. These improvements, she said, translate into real justice for citizens long waiting for their cases to be concluded.

However, she underscored the need to confront persistent challenges such as decade-old pending cases, delayed judgments, inadequate infrastructure, unreliable power and internet connectivity, weak court security, and gaps in process service. She urged Judges to raise performance levels, exceed targets, and ensure that backlog reduction becomes sustainable rather than cyclical.

Justice Abodo emphasised the importance of thorough inspections, transparent accountability for funded sessions, accurate data reporting, and the central role of ADR and plea bargaining in reducing case backlogs. She also reaffirmed her commitment to the well-being of judicial officers, encouraging them to rest, seek support when overwhelmed, and adopt a people-centred approach to justice that prioritises the needs of court users.

Earlier, the Acting Chief Registrar, HW Pamella Lamunu Ocaya, welcomed participants and congratulated the Principal Judge on her first appearance at the Quarterly Review platform. She noted that the forum offers a critical opportunity for judicial leaders to assess performance, confront operational challenges, and align their efforts in strengthening justice delivery across the High Court.

The retreat is being moderated by the Judiciary Public Relations Officer, HW James Ereemye Jumire Mawanda.

Over the next two days, participants are expected to build consensus on practical strategies for improving judicial efficiency, addressing long-standing bottlenecks, and enhancing the overall impact of the Judiciary's services. The meeting is anticipated to set a refreshed tone of collaboration, innovation, and accountability as the Judiciary advances its mandate to deliver timely and people-centred justice across Uganda.