NEBBI– Advocates, Community leaders, Court users and members of the general public on Thursday, turned up in large numbers at Nebbi Magistrates Court for a public sensitization campaign.
The lively session aimed to demystify the justice system, making it more approachable and positioning it as a practical and empowering resource for all.
The engagement was designed to demystify the court system, making it feel closer, friendlier, and more accessible to the ordinary citizen.
Guided by the Judiciary’s Communications and Public Relations Registry, the campaign formed part of a nationwide drive to simplify court processes, highlight ongoing reforms, and affirm that access to justice is a right, not a privilege building trust through dialogue.
Welcoming the gathering, Chief Magistrate HW Cyrus Ssennoga Mawano underscored the importance of citizen engagement in strengthening public confidence in the justice system. He noted that land disputes dominate Nebbi’s court docket, and urged respect for court orders as a foundation of the rule of law.
“If the court issues an order to vacate land, it must be respected,” he said firmly. “If one is dissatisfied, the proper course is to appeal before the High Court in Arua, not to defy the order.”
HW Ssennoga encouraged residents to embrace mediation as a less adversarial and more constructive avenue for resolving disputes. With refreshing candour, he assured the community of his open-door policy, welcoming anyone seeking clarification. However, he issued a stern caution against bribery, stressing that integrity must guide all interactions with the court. He further clarified that all fees are paid strictly through the bank, emphasizing that “the court does not receive cash.”
Justice innovations for the people
Speaking at the engagement, the Resident State Attorney, Mr. Samuel Acwica, commended the initiative for bridging the gap between the community and the justice system. He described it as a platform that fosters transparency and dispels long-held misconceptions about courts.
Adding to this, Ms. Evas Kobusingye, Client Service Officer, walked participants through key justice innovations such as Mediation, the Small Claims Procedure, and Plea Bargaining, which she described as pathways to quick, affordable, and citizen-friendly justice.
A two-way conversation
The session concluded with a question-and-answer session, where participants freely voiced their concerns, posed questions, and received clarifications from judicial officers. To reinforce the learning, Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials were distributed, simplifying complex court processes into easily digestible content.
Also present were Magistrates Grade One HW Eyokia Jill Dawa and HW Enid Namuyaga, who joined the engagement to listen, respond, and connect with the community.
By the close of the engagement, the participants walked away not just with IEC materials, but with something more valuable, renewed confidence in their justice system.
