The Acting Principal Judge, Lady Justice Okuo Jane Kajuga, on Monday carried out routine inspections at Masaka High Court, Masaka Chief Magistrates Court, Kyotera Chief Magistrates Court and Sembabule Chief Magistrates Court.
During the visits, the Ag. Principal Judge underscored the need to adopt Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms, in line with the President’s call to embrace Mediation, Plea Bargaining, and Small Claims Procedure as complementary tools to formal litigation.
Masaka High Court and Chief Magistrates Court
At Masaka, Justice Okuo said the visit aimed at following up on the implementation of earlier recommendations and finding solutions to challenges affecting justice delivery in the Circuit. She highlighted ongoing criminal sessions in Kyotera and Sembabule as a step forward, and revealed that a special civil session dedicated to family cases will commence soon.
She emphasized the need to carefully identify and train high-calibre mediators, urging judicial officers to forward suitable candidates to the ADR Registry. “Every Circuit Head is a leader. Make sure you own your territory and workload as you set clear solutions to the problems,” she advised.
The Head of Masaka High Court Circuit, Lady Justice Victoria Nakintu Katamba reported that backlog at Masaka Court stands at 41% of the total caseload, attributing it partly to numerous non-starter cases, increasing applications for extension of Letters of Administration, and prolonged committals without trial. She outlined best practices adopted by the Court, including early court sittings, dedicating afternoons to applications and mediation, and benchmarking with the Family Division.
She further recommended out-of-station sessions in Kalangala, Lwengo and Lyantonde to ease backlog. However, she cited persistent challenges such as understaffing, inadequate office and storage space, lack of SGBV and witness facilities, unstable power and water supply, and ageing infrastructure.
The inspection concluded with a tour of chambers, courtrooms, registries, archives, library, and exhibit stores.
Kyotera Chief Magistrates Court
In Kyotera, Justice Okuo was received by Justice Simon Peter Kinobe, who is presiding over a criminal session, alongside Deputy Registrar Masaka HW Loe Karungi, station in-charge HW Ignitious Ategeka, and HW Emmanuel Kalule.
She reiterated the President’s call to integrate aspects of the African Justice System (AJS) in adjudication, while cautioning that cases escalating from traditional courts must be handled with care. She further urged prioritization of old cases through the “first in, first out” principle, and commended Justice Kinobe and the team for their proactive, no-adjournment approach.
Justice Kinobe reported that the session would conclude within the week, with all decisions delivered. He emphasized blending cultural practices with formal justice to serve people’s interests effectively.
The Magistrate in charge, HW Ategeka, raised concerns over the lack of a substantive Chief Magistrate since the court’s gazettement, absence of clerks, lack of legal aid providers, and the fact that the Kyotera Justice Centre premises had not yet been officially handed over to the Judiciary.
Sembabule Chief Magistrates Court
The day was concluded with a follow-up visit to Sembabule Chief Magistrates Court, where a High Court Criminal Session of 40 cases is being handled by Justice Amos Kwizera.
Justice Okuo was briefed on challenges affecting the session, including the complexity of high-profile cases, handling of vulnerable parties such as those with hearing and visual impairments, transportation of prisoners and witnesses from Masaka, and files carried forward from previous sessions. She advised judicial officers to lobby District Chain-Linked Committees for land to facilitate staff housing and urged greater use of technology.
