The Chief Justice of Uganda, Flavian Zeija, has officially commissioned the Kabale Regional Office of the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, calling on staff deployed to the facility to uphold integrity, professionalism, and a strong commitment to public service.
The commissioning ceremony brought together a broad spectrum of justice sector stakeholders, including judicial officers, representatives from the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, the Uganda Police Force, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the Uganda Prisons Service, advocates, as well as district and religious leaders.
In his keynote address, Justice Zeija described the new office as more than a physical infrastructure project, emphasizing its role in advancing the decentralisation of legal services and strengthening the rule of law in the Kigezi sub-region.
He noted that the Constitution requires judicial power to be exercised in the name of the people, underscoring the need for accessible and responsive justice services.
He observed that the establishment of the regional office addresses long-standing challenges of distance and delayed service delivery, adding that it will serve as a critical hub for timely legal advisory services to local governments, improve administrative decision-making, and help reduce avoidable litigation.
Reflecting on his earlier service as a Circuit Judge at Mbarara High Court, the Chief Justice recalled the strain caused by limited staffing of State Attorneys across the western region. He welcomed the expansion of the Ministry’s presence in Kabale, saying it would ease workload pressures and improve efficiency in justice delivery.
Justice Zeija further linked the development to the Judiciary’s broader transformation agenda, which includes the expansion of High Court circuits and the operationalisation of additional magisterial areas.
He emphasized that the effectiveness of the Bench is closely tied to the capacity and presence of the Bar, particularly State Attorneys, whose role is central to representing government interests.
He added that the presence of the Attorney General’s Chambers in Kabale will facilitate prompt filing of pleadings, improve attendance in court by State Attorneys, encourage early resolution of government-related disputes, and help safeguard public resources at the regional level.
The Chief Justice commended the Ministry and the Attorney General for aligning the expansion with the National Development Plan and the Judiciary Strategic Plan VI, describing inter-institutional coordination as key to building a more efficient and accountable justice system.
Addressing staff assigned to the office, Justice Zeija urged them to uphold high ethical standards, integrity, diligence, and transparency, reminding them of their role as representatives of the government’s legal conscience in the region.
“You are the face of the Government’s legal conscience in this region. Let this Office be known for its transparency and commitment to the public good,” he said.
Justice Karoli Lwanga Ssemogerere, a judicial officer present at the event, noted that the establishment of the regional office responds to a growing need for Ministry of Justice services in the Kigezi region.
He highlighted strengthened collaboration between the Kabale High Court and the new office, particularly in advancing Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms such as mediation.
The Deputy Solicitor General, Charles Ouma, revealed that the Ministry’s Strategic Plan (2025–2030) provides for the establishment of five new regional offices in Kabale, Hoima, Masaka, Iganga, and Lira during the 2025/2026 financial year, with Kabale becoming the first to be commissioned under the rollout.
