Kampala– The Chief Justice of Uganda, Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny – Dollo, at the beg of this week, hosted a high-level delegation from the Embassy of Sweden and the International Development Law Organization (IDLO) in his Chambers at the Supreme Court Building in Kampala.
The delegation was led by Ms. Maria Håkansson, Ambassador of Sweden to Uganda, included Dr. Jakob Granit, Director General of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), Ms. Barbara Wachia Kilei, IDLO Country Representative, and four other senior officials.
Discussions centred on the proposed Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to Malaba, with a focus on how Sweden’s support could enhance the project, particularly
in navigating land-related legal issues that may emerge during construction. The delegation also explored opportunities for strengthening ongoing collaboration with IDLO, including learning from current challenges and expanding support to justice delivery initiatives.
The meeting further reviewed the Judiciary’s use of video conferencing facilities installed in courts through a partnership with UNDP, which have contributed significantly to improved access to justice.
Ambassador Håkansson expressed gratitude to the Chief Justice for the continued cooperation between Sweden and the Judiciary, and for granting the delegation time for the engagement.
The Chief Justice underscored the importance of instituting reasonable and fair mandatory bail provisions for the public. He also highlighted the Judiciary’s increasing reliance on technology, including automated court recording systems for judges and transcribers. He thanked development partners for their role in training judicial officers and supporting digital transformation efforts.
On the SGR project, the Chief Justice clarified that the railway land reserve covers both communal and private land. He assured the delegation that where private land is affected, compensation will be provided in accordance with Ugandan law. He called on partners to continue their support to the Judiciary in strengthening systems that facilitate effective justice delivery.
Justice Prof. Andrew Khaukha, the focal judge for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and Executive Director of the Judicial Training Institute (JTI), commended IDLO for its longstanding contribution to the Judiciary. He noted that IDLO’s interventions have helped reduce case backlog, enhance training and capacity building, and strengthen the use of ADR mechanisms, all of which have had a lasting impact on the administration of justice.
