The Deputy Chief Justice, Justice Moses Kazibwe Kawumi, has called for a renewed partnership between the Judiciaries of Uganda and Denmark, building on decades of cooperation to address emerging priorities in justice delivery.
Justice Kazibwe identified digital transformation, judicial training, access to justice, commercial justice, performance management and people-centred court administration among areas that could anchor a new phase of cooperation.
He made the call earlier today during a meeting between the two Judiciaries at the Court of Appeal Conference Hall in Kampala, attended by a Danish delegation led by Justice Stig Glent-Madsen and Denmark’s Ambassador to Uganda, Ms Signe Winding Albjerg.
“We respectfully express our desire to see a revival and renewal of judicial cooperation between Uganda and Denmark. We recognise that Denmark’s development cooperation priorities have evolved, just as Uganda’s justice needs have changed,” Justice Kazibwe said.
He stressed that Uganda was not seeking to replicate previous programmes but to build on their successes and develop cooperation responsive to contemporary challenges.
Building On a Longstanding Partnership
Justice Kazibwe traced judicial cooperation between Uganda and Denmark to the late 1980s, noting that it was later strengthened through initiatives including the DANIDA-funded Strengthening of the Judiciary Project.
He said Danish support contributed to judicial training, court infrastructure, ICT, court administration, performance management, inspection and integrity.
“We received your visit notification with enthusiasm and see it as an opportunity to reconnect two judicial institutions with a history of exchange, development and commitment to the rule of law,” he said.
The Deputy Chief Justice noted that hundreds of Ugandan Judicial Officers benefited from Law and Justice Courses through the Danida Fellowship Centre between the mid-1990s and 2015, creating professional relationships and institutional knowledge that continued to influence Uganda’s justice system.
He cited the Small Claims Procedure as one of the innovations that benefited from the cooperation, providing ordinary citizens and small businesses with a faster and more cost-effective mechanism for resolving minor civil and commercial disputes.
Justice Kazibwe said earlier cooperation in court administration, case management, performance assessment and ICT also provided foundations on which the Judiciary has continued to build through reforms such as the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS) and Performance Enhancement Tool (PET).
New priorities for cooperation
Looking ahead, the Deputy Chief Justice identified opportunities for renewed engagement in judicial and professional development, human rights and access to justice, business and human rights, commercial justice, performance management and digital transformation.
He also highlighted Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, professional development opportunities for female Judicial Officers, digitalisation and court-user engagement as areas for further exchange.
“We see today’s meeting as more than an exchange of presentations but as an opportunity to open a new chapter,” Justice Kazibwe said.
He added that the best way to honour the legacy of previous cooperation was not merely to remember it, but to renew it in ways responsive to present justice needs.
Denmark Welcomes Renewed Engagement
The head of the Danish delegation welcomed the proposal, describing the visit as an opportunity for open dialogue and exchange of experiences between Judicial Officers from the two countries.
He expressed willingness to revive the longstanding judicial relationship, including through professional exchanges and discussions on the day-to-day administration of justice.
The delegation had spent 11 days in Uganda, including engagements supporting refugees and host communities in West Nile.
Ambassador Signe Winding Albjerg similarly highlighted Denmark’s longstanding engagement with Uganda in justice, human rights, governance, accountability and anti-corruption.
She recalled previous support for judicial training and exchange programmes, construction and equipping of courtrooms and technical assistance to the justice sector. The Ambassador expressed interest in continued engagement in areas of mutual interest, particularly judicial practice, professional development and access to justice.
Representing the Principal Judge, Justice David Matovu, Head of the Criminal Division, welcomed the delegation and underscored the value Uganda places on the relationship between the two judicial institutions.
Judiciaries Exchange Experiences
During the meeting, the Chief Registrar, HW Agnes Alum, presented an overview of the Judiciary and its ongoing reforms, while Justice John Eudes Keitirima, Head of the Family Division, discussed the nature and operations of Uganda’s specialised Divisions and Circuits.
Lady Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga of the Anti-Corruption Division addressed the role of the civil and criminal justice systems in strengthening the rule of law and judicial independence, while Lady Justice Sarah Langa Siu, Head of the Wakiso High Court Circuit, presented on case management and backlog reduction strategies.
The presentations were followed by an open dialogue on the experiences of the two countries and possible areas for future engagement.
In closing remarks on behalf of the Uganda Judiciary, Lady Justice Prof. Lillian Tibatemwa-Ekirikubinza of the Supreme Court reflected on the Judiciary’s vision of “Justice for All”. She emphasised that justice must go beyond laws and court processes to become a reality experienced by people and communities.
Drawing on her own academic experience in Denmark, she reflected on how the exposure shaped her understanding of criminology, vulnerable court users and the need to translate laws into meaningful justice for people who interact with the courts.
She thanked the Danish Government for its contribution to her academic and professional development and acknowledged the broader value of the longstanding relationship between the two countries.
The Danish delegation also commended Uganda’s mobile court initiatives and specialised wildlife court, among other justice innovations.
The meeting brought together Justices, Judges, Registrars and Magistrates, senior Judiciary administrators and representatives of the Judicial Service Commission, Attorney General’s Chambers, Governance and Security Secretariat alongside Danish Judicial Officers, legal practitioners and Embassy officials.
The programme was directed by the Chief Registrar, HW Agnes Alum, assisted by the Judiciary Public Relations Officer, HW James Ereemye Jumire Mawanda.
Posted 23rd, September 2026
