Preparations are now underway for the National Court Open Day 2026, following a high-level meeting of the Organising Committee chaired by the Principal Judge, Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo.
The event, scheduled for 25th August 2026, aims to strengthen public engagement, enhance transparency, and improve citizens’ understanding of court services and processes.
In her opening remarks, Lady Justice Abodo commended committee members for accepting the responsibility of organizing one of the Judiciary’s flagship public engagement initiatives. She recognized the dedication, sacrifice, and behind-the-scenes effort required to deliver a national event of such magnitude.
“While the most recent Open Day showed significant improvement over the inaugural event, there remains room to raise the standard further through better coordination, balanced planning, and increased impact,” she said.
Lady Justice Abodo emphasized the urgency of preparations following the decision to move the Open Day from December to August, urging committee members to align their activities accordingly.
She described the Open Day as a growing and important fixture on the Judiciary calendar, whose success depends on sustained commitment and clarity of purpose.
Building on previous Open Day themes—ranging from A People-Centred Approach to Justice to Enhancing Judicial Accountability and Access to Justice—Lady Justice Abodo proposed “Justice that Works: Inclusive, Efficient and Trusted” as the guiding theme for 2026.
She encouraged committee members to submit additional theme proposals that reflect the Judiciary’s ongoing transformation and its impact on court users.
Highlighting the need to go beyond traditional exhibition formats, the Principal Judge urged the incorporation of practical and high-impact activities, including interactive engagements, on-the-spot legal guidance, and simplified demonstrations of court processes.
“These approaches will deepen public understanding of the justice system,” she said.
The Acting Chief Registrar, Pamella Lamunu Ocaya, praised the team for their dedication during the previous Open Day, which was successfully executed despite tight timelines. She stressed that the extended preparation period for 2026 should be strategically used to enhance outcomes rather than slow momentum.
Ocaya also highlighted the need to constitute functional sub-committees to drive the planning process and raised concerns about the suitability of Kololo Ceremonial Grounds as the venue due to potential scheduling conflicts with national activities. She urged the team to explore alternative venues to ensure seamless execution.
Addressing these concerns, Registrar Planning, Research and Development, John Paul Edoku, pointed out that Kololo Ceremonial Grounds offers reliable power infrastructure, critical for the technical demands of the event.
He proposed the establishment of a technical team to inspect potential venues, including Kololo, the Law Development Centre, and Makerere University, to assess their suitability.
Emphasizing the importance of public engagement, Public Relations Officer and Registrar of the Communications and Public Relations Registry, James Ereemye Jumire Mawanda, highlighted the need for a compelling and relatable theme that resonates with both the Judiciary and the public.
He also called for better-structured question-and-answer segments to ensure interactions remain constructive and aligned with the Open Day’s objectives.