The Principal Judge, Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, has called for the establishment of a comprehensive and uniform framework for the management of court exhibits.
She said it is critical to safeguarding the integrity of the adjudicative process and improving the administration of justice in Uganda.
Lady Justice Abodo made the remarks on Thursday afternoon while chairing a meeting of the Judiciary's Law Reform Committee at the Supreme Court Conference Hall in Kampala, where members considered the draft Constitution (Management of Exhibits) (Practice) Directions, 2026.
The meeting brought together members of the Committee to deliberate on proposed reforms aimed at establishing a comprehensive framework for the management of exhibits in courts across the country.
In her opening remarks, Abodo thanked members for their continued commitment to strengthening the administration of justice through law reform initiatives.
She noted that the management of exhibits remains a fundamental component of the adjudicative process but acknowledged that it has, over the years, presented numerous practical and legal challenges across courts.
According to her, these challenges include inadequate storage facilities, difficulties in tracking exhibits, loss and deterioration of exhibits, uncertainty regarding custody and accountability, as well as inconsistencies in procedures governing the receipt, preservation, production, release and disposal of exhibits.
“The absence of a comprehensive and uniform framework has, in some instances, affected the efficient disposal of cases and created administrative burdens for judicial officers and other justice sector stakeholders,” she said.
Abodo emphasized that as the Judiciary continues to embrace modernization, case management reforms and digital transformation, it is imperative to establish clear procedures that safeguard the integrity of exhibits throughout the lifecycle of a case.
She said the proposed Practice Directions present an opportunity to clarify roles and responsibilities, strengthen accountability, enhance chain-of-custody procedures, promote transparency and ensure that exhibits are managed in a manner that protects the rights of parties while preserving public confidence in the justice system.
Abodo further urged members to critically examine whether the proposed provisions adequately address the practical realities faced by courts at different levels, are capable of effective implementation within existing institutional capacities and sufficiently anticipate emerging challenges, including those relating to electronic and digital exhibits.
“Our goal should be to develop a framework that is practical, efficient, enforceable and responsive to the needs of all court users. We must ensure that the Directions not only provide legal certainty but also contribute to improved case management and the overall administration of justice,” she said.
During the meeting, the draft Constitution (Management of Exhibits) (Practice) Directions, 2026 were presented by the Registrar of the Supreme Court, Thadius Ayebare Tumwebaze, who guided members through the proposed provisions before opening the floor for discussion and input.
The proposed Directions are expected to streamline the handling of exhibits within the Judiciary, strengthen accountability mechanisms and support the timely and efficient disposal of cases.