Kampala– The Deputy Chief Justice Designate, Hon. Justice Moses Kazibwe Kawumi, has conducted an inspection tour of the Court of Appeal aimed at familiarising himself with the Court’s operations, facilities, and service centres as part of his vision to strengthen institutional performance and improve service delivery within the Judiciary.
Prior to the inspection, Justice Kazibwe met with the Court’s registrars and assured them of his commitment to maintaining an open and accessible office that supports the effective functioning of the Court.
During the engagement, he underscored the importance of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), particularly appellate mediation, as a key tool for expediting the disposal of cases and reducing the Court’s backlog. He urged all Justices to remain actively involved in mediation efforts to enhance access to timely justice.
Justice Kazibwe also expressed concern over missing records in both civil and criminal cases, calling for closer collaboration between the Court and the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) team to identify pending files and establish the status of matters with incomplete records. He noted that cooperation with key justice sector stakeholders, including the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), would be critical in resolving challenges affecting the disposal of such cases.
The Deputy Chief Justice Designate further directed the ICT team to generate comprehensive ageing reports detailing how long cases have remained within the Court system. According to him, this information will help the Court prioritise older matters and effectively implement a first-in, first-out approach to case management and disposal.
He also encouraged registrars to strengthen records management systems and support Justices in improving the accuracy and efficiency of case tracking mechanisms.
Addressing concerns about delays in the administration of justice, Justice Kazibwe referred to a recent media report in which a litigant alleged that his case had remained before the courts for fifteen years. He stressed that such concerns must be taken seriously and reaffirmed the Judiciary’s obligation to ensure that justice is delivered within a reasonable timeframe.
To strengthen mediation initiatives, he urged registrars to regularly assign mediation files to Justices and develop practical schedules to facilitate the process. He also commended the Court of Appeal leadership for its efforts to improve efficiency and service delivery, noting that he had reviewed performance reports from various courts.
Welcoming the Deputy Chief Justice Designate, Hon. Justice Geoffrey Kiryabwire said the engagement provided an opportunity for registrars to present a comprehensive overview of the Court’s operations, achievements, and challenges.
On the Judiciary’s ongoing transition to a paperless system, Justice Kazibwe emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards in document digitisation and records management. He observed that the effectiveness of digital case management depends on the quality and accuracy of documents uploaded into the system, cautioning that poor scanning practices and inaccurate filing could undermine the success of the paperless initiative.
He further highlighted the need to strengthen partnerships with stakeholders such as the Law Council in order to advance broader reforms aimed at improving the administration of justice.
As part of the inspection, Justice Kazibwe visited the Court of Appeal archives located on Basement Two, where he commended staff for their dedication in preserving and organising civil, constitutional, and criminal records dating back to 1998. He praised their commitment despite existing space and resource constraints and encouraged continued adherence to best practices in records management.
