Justice Ministry Secures Shs 3.6 Trillion for Govt after 899 Legal Victories

The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs has successfully saved the government Shs 3.6 trillion in legal awards and costs over the past three years.

This impressive achievement stems from the ministry’s representation of the government in 16,420 cases in courts, tribunals, and commissions since 2021.

Permanent Secretary Robert Kasande shared these figures during a performance update on the ministry’s role in implementing the 2021-2026 NRM Manifesto commitments.

“Out of the 1,171 cases concluded, 899 were won, sparing the government from paying substantial awards. Unfortunately, 272 cases were lost, amounting to Shs 655 billion in liabilities,” Kasande revealed.

Highlighting another key accomplishment, Kasande discussed the ongoing compensation for war debt claimants in the Acholi, Lango, and Teso sub-regions.

This initiative, launched by President Yoweri Museveni in March 2022, aims to compensate individuals whose livestock was lost during past conflicts.

“To date, we have compensated 24,777 claimants with a total amount of Shs 121.225 billion,” Kasande said, breaking down the payments as follows:

Teso Sub-Region: 10,100 claimants received Shs 48.759 billion.

Acholi Sub-Region: 3,993 claimants received Shs 33.222 billion.

Lango Sub-Region: 10,684 claimants received Shs 39.242 billion.

Kasande emphasized the transformative impact of these payments, noting that beneficiaries are reinvesting in agriculture and other productive ventures, leading to improved household incomes and livelihoods.

“This intervention has rejuvenated hope in these regions, boosting economic activity and general productivity,” he added.

Despite these strides, Kasande acknowledged the challenges in addressing the remaining verified liabilities for cattle compensation, which amount to Shs 473.302 billion.

“We remain committed to fulfilling these obligations, but funding constraints pose a significant hurdle,” he explained.

The ministry’s achievements, particularly in legal representation and compensation efforts, underscore its pivotal role in safeguarding public funds and addressing historical injustices.

“Our focus is to continue reducing the financial burden on taxpayers while delivering justice for affected communities,” Kasande concluded.

This performance reflects the government’s commitment to justice, fiscal prudence, and equitable development as outlined in the NRM Manifesto.