JUDICIARY Latest Features

The Principal Judge, Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, on March 30 presided over a Court Open Day at the Rakai District Headquarters Grounds. The event was held under the theme: "Justice Begins with You: Report Gender-Based Violence. Access Justice," and aimed at deepening access to justice and strengthening the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

In her remarks, the Principal Judge appreciated the attendance and active engagement of the people of Rakai in the event, noting that their presence demonstrated a strong commitment to justice and a willingness to engage with institutions that serve them. She encouraged continued public engagement in the fight against GBV and thanked judicial officers in Rakai for their commendable work. She also acknowledged the partnership with UN Women in advancing access to justice for women and girls.

Addressing the prevalence of GBV, the Principal Judge observed that many GBV victims remain silent due to fear, limited awareness, and cultural influences. She emphasized the importance of reporting GBV cases to enable the law to take effect and called upon survivors, community members, and leaders to take action in the fight against GBV. She further urged justice sector actors to ensure accessible referral systems and the availability of legal aid services.

"The courts of Uganda are open to every victim of gender-based violence. The law protects you, but it can only work when cases are reported. The court can only intervene when a matter is brought before it. That is what the theme means when it says 'justice begins with you.' It begins with the courage to speak out and to refuse to accept violence as a way of life," she said.

Highlighting the significance of Court Open Days, the Principal Judge noted that such initiatives strengthen the relationship between courts and communities by enhancing public understanding of court processes, rights, and available services. She added that they (Court Open Days) provide an opportunity for the Judiciary to receive valuable feedback from the public. She thanked the district leadership for their support, particularly the allocation of land for the construction of a High Court in Rakai, noting that this development will reduce the burden of traveling to Masaka and significantly improve access to justice.

The Principal Judge also highlighted ongoing judicial reforms, including the introduction of mobile courts to extend services to underserved areas, the expansion of magistrates' pecuniary jurisdiction to address case backlog, and the promotion of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and Alternative Justice Systems. She explained that these measures are intended to expedite the resolution of disputes, and bring Judiciary services closer to communities.

Emphasizing accountability and professionalism, she noted the importance of consistency, efficiency, fairness, and integrity in judicial work as key pillars for building public trust. She also encouraged judicial officers and staff to prioritize their well-being while carrying out their duties.

In response to concerns raised by the public, the Principal Judge called upon justice actors, including ODPP, to diligently handle cases brought before them. She stressed the importance of thorough and impartial investigations, cautioning against witch-hunts. She also noted that wrongful investigations not only harm innocent individuals but also allow actual offenders to remain at large. She reminded prosecutors, judicial officers, and the police that their roles are not merely jobs, but a calling and a service to the public.

Speaking during the stakeholders' meeting, the Principal Judge emphasized the importance of the participation of development partners in such meetings, noting that their collaboration is vital in enabling the delivery of justice and in understanding the true cost of delivery of justice services. She further highlighted the value of physically inspecting Courts, stating that on-the-ground interactions support more informed and practical decision-making in the administration of justice.

In her remarks, Lady Justice Katamba Victoria Nakintu Nkwanga (Head Masaka High Court Circuit), thanked the people of Rakai for attending the event, noting that their presence reflected a strong commitment to justice. She also expressed gratitude to the district leadership for allocating land for the construction of the Rakai High Court, the first of its kind in the district, which she noted is currently about 54% complete. She noted that once completed, the Court will significantly improve access to justice for the people of Rakai and surrounding areas. Justice Ka also encouraged members of the public to make use of available legal aid services to enhance their access to justice, and further urged them to embrace mediation as an effective means of resolving disputes.

During the stakeholders' meeting, Lady Justice Katamba commended the Principal Judge for her dedication and commitment to improving justice delivery, recalling that her maiden visit to Masaka was under the Justice for Her Project, which focuses on addressing gender-based violence. She emphasized the importance of engaging directly with communities, noting that such interactions provide a clear understanding of the realities on the ground and support more practical and informed decision-making in the justice sector. She also called on stakeholders to reflect on their individual roles in the administration of justice, stressing that justice delivery is a shared responsibility and that all actors are partners in the process.

Lady Justice Katamba further conveyed concerns raised by stakeholders from Lyantonde and Lwengo Courts, who strongly opposed proposals to put the two Magisterial Courts under Rakai High Court Circuit. She noted that putting Lyantonde and Lwengo under Rakai could hinder access to justice, as they would increase the distance and logistical burden for court users from those areas to travel to Rakai.

In her remarks, Ms. Adekemi Ndieli (Deputy Country Representative of UN Women), commended the Judiciary for its continued leadership in improving access to justice, particularly for women and girls affected by gender-based violence. She noted that Rakai continues to face challenges such as domestic violence, child marriages, and limited access to justice, with many GBV survivors remaining silent due to stigma, family pressure, and barriers to support services. She emphasized that the Court Open Day was an important platform for bringing justice closer to the community, helping the public understand their rights, report cases, and engage directly with justice actors.

The representative encouraged court users to utilize available services, particularly legal aid and justice centres, to seek timely support. She also highlighted UN Women's partnership with the Judiciary in promoting survivor-centred justice through initiatives such as the Justice for Her Project, capacity building for justice actors, and strengthening coordination among stakeholders to ensure effective justice delivery.

Addressing the community, Ms Ndieli called for collective responsibility in ending violence and improving access to justice, urging all stakeholders to play their role in supporting survivors and strengthening trust in the justice system. She further appealed to justice leaders to address systemic barriers that hinder access to justice.

In his remarks, HW Vueni Raphael (Chief Magistrate, Rakai) expressed appreciation to the Rakai district leadership for their coordination and collaboration in justice delivery. He also thanked the Kingdom of Kooki for providing the premises where the court is currently operating. He acknowledged the support of UN Women, particularly through the Justice for Her Project, noting that its implementation has been a game changer in justice delivery. He highlighted that, due to this project, there has been increased witness turnout and growing public willingness to testify in court, adding that out of 36 GBV cases cause-listed for the quarter, the court had already handled 23.

He further observed that the majority of cases handled by Rakai Chief Magistrate's Court relate to theft of cattle and crops such as coffee, alongside a rising number of land disputes, some resulting in murder, as well as cases of aggravated defilement, rape, aggravated robbery, and trafficking in children for labour and sexual exploitation.

The Deputy Resident District Commissioner for Rakai, Mr. Mwanje Eddy, urged members of the public to utilize the soon to be operationalized Rakai High Court to ensure that law breakers are held accountable. He also encouraged the use of district leaders to resolve disputes, noting that some matters can be effectively handled at that level without proceeding to court.

Mr. Samuel Kaggwa Ssekamwa (Rakai District LCV Chairperson) commended the Judiciary for its efforts in sensitizing the public on its work and processes. He reaffirmed the district’s role in allocating land for the High Court and expressed appreciation to both the Judiciary and the Government for taking services closer to the people.

Concerns raised by the public during the engagement largely focused on land and property disputes, execution of court orders, and issues relating to police bond. They also expressed appreciation for the Justice for Her Project, noting its role in facilitating timely resolution of GBV cases, and commended judicial officers in Rakai for their continued efforts in delivering justice.

The event was attended by judicial officers in various capacities and stakeholders from across the justice chain, including representatives from UN Women, the Uganda Prisons Service, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, legal aid service providers, district and religious leaders as well as members of the public.

Notably in attendance were Lady Justice Fatuma Nanziri Bwanika (Resident Judge, Masaka), HW Karungi Loe (Deputy Registrar, Masaka), HW Abert Asiimwe (Chief Magistrate, Masaka), and HW Nyakairu Edger (Personal Assistant to the PJ), as well as several magistrates from the greater Masaka High Court Circuit.

Ms. Beatrice Mulindwa (Project Manager, Justice for Her Project, UN Women), Mr. Mukera Denis (Representative from the Judicial Service Commission), and Mr. Apollo Mugume (Resident District Commissioner, Kyotera), among other stakeholder representatives, were also present.

The Open Day was moderated by HW Zulaika Nanteza, Deputy Registrar Appellate Mediation at the Court of Appeal, with support from the Communications team.