Munyonyo, Kampala — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged the Judiciary to place judicial wellness at the centre of justice delivery, arguing that the physical, mental and ethical wellbeing of judicial officers is critical to effective case management, faster dispute resolution and national stability.
Speaking through Vice President Jessica Alupo at the opening of the 27th Annual Judges Conference at Speke Resort Munyonyo, President Museveni said the conference theme, “Judicial Wellness: A Tool for Effective Case Management,” was both timely and strategic, describing judicial wellness as a governance issue rather than a peripheral concern.
“The Judiciary is central to our national development agenda,” Museveni said, noting that a healthy, organised and well-led Judiciary is more productive, better able to manage pressure and capable of delivering predictable justice. He emphasised that judicial power, as enshrined in the 1995 Constitution, is derived from the people and must be exercised in their name, in line with their values and for their benefit.
The President stressed that justice must be accessible, timely, impartial and respectful, warning that the constitutional promise of justice cannot be fully realised if judicial officers are overwhelmed, exhausted or inadequately supported.
Museveni reminded judges that effective justice systems are the backbone of democratic societies, adding that no country can be stable, prosperous or sovereign without a functional system of justice. Reflecting on Uganda’s past, he recalled that when the NRM took power in 1986, the country was grappling with institutional breakdown, impunity and widespread lawlessness.
“One of our central tasks was to restore authority, discipline and respect for the law. That work must be sustained,” he said.
He cautioned that justice should not exist only in legal theory but must be felt in practical terms, including the time taken to resolve disputes, the costs involved and the certainty of outcomes. Delayed justice, he warned, erodes public confidence, discourages investment and fuels social tension.
“Justice delayed is justice denied,” Museveni said, reiterating his long-standing call for speed, efficiency and discipline across all state institutions, including the Judiciary.
The President noted that case backlogs are not caused by laws alone but often arise from systemic weaknesses, organisational challenges, leadership gaps and human capacity constraints. Acknowledging the heavy workload borne by judges, he said unmanaged pressure leads to fatigue, delays and public dissatisfaction, which can ultimately threaten national stability.
“The strength of our justice system ultimately depends on the physical, mental and ethical wellbeing of those entrusted with judicial power,” he said.
Museveni urged participants at the conference to focus on practical solutions to reduce case backlog, improve turnaround time and strengthen public confidence in the justice system, noting that every resolved land, commercial and criminal dispute contributes directly to Uganda’s economic development.
“Our people are watching. They want results,” he said.
He concluded by reaffirming government’s commitment to a strong, independent and efficient Judiciary, describing it as indispensable to democracy, peace and national development, as well as a key pillar for investor confidence, protection of rights and maintenance of social order.
Addressing the conference, Chief Justice Dr Flavian Zeija described the gathering as a defining moment in the judicial calendar.
“The time we shall spend here should be dedicated to renewal, reflection and recommitment to our constitutional mandate,” Dr Zeija said.
He noted that the conference is the first under his tenure as Chief Justice, following the retirement of Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo, whom he praised for laying a firm foundation for a modern, people-centred Judiciary.
“No doubt the Honourable Chief Justice Emeritus provided visionary leadership whose legacy will endure in our structures, reforms and values,” Zeija said.
Dr Zeija also pledged that, working with top Judiciary management, efforts will be made to improve staff welfare, including the construction of staff quarters for judicial officers serving in hard-to-reach areas.
