Court users at the Iganga Chief Magistrate’s Court have been sensitised on court procedures and key reforms during a court-user awareness campaign conducted by the Public Relations and Communications Registry of the Judiciary of Uganda.
The engagement sought to equip litigants and other court users with practical knowledge of judicial processes, promote accountability, and address common causes of delay in the administration of justice.
Welcoming participants, the Assistant Registrar of the Iganga High Court, Godfrey Ssalaamu Ngobi, underscored the importance of public engagement in strengthening trust between the Judiciary and the community.
He encouraged active participation and cautioned court users to transact only with official Judiciary staff to avoid falling victim to imposters.
“We are committed to transparency and ensuring that every court user understands the processes that affect their cases. Our doors are open, and we encourage members of the public to seek clarification directly from judicial officers whenever necessary,” he said.
During the session, Communications Officer Deo Akugizibwe highlighted key reforms introduced by the Judiciary to reduce case backlog and enhance efficiency. These include mediation, the Small Claims Procedure, plea bargaining, and the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS). He also explained the Judiciary’s complaints-handling mechanisms and the role of the Judiciary Call Centre in receiving and responding to public concerns.
Participants were further guided through the procedures for claiming bail refunds after the conclusion of cases—an issue that frequently causes confusion among court users.
In an interactive session, attendees raised concerns regarding delayed rulings, prolonged remand periods, and challenges in processing bail refunds.
Responding to these concerns, Chief Magistrate Kenneth Komakech assured the public of the court’s commitment to timely justice delivery and encouraged them to seek assistance from his office whenever clarification is needed.
The sensitisation engagement was attended by Magistrate Grade One Afoyoroth Winny Epiphany, as well as advocates, prison officers, court staff, and members of the public.
To crown the exercise, court users were provided with informational materials detailing various court procedures and processes, reinforcing the Judiciary’s commitment to transparency, efficiency, and improved service delivery.