The Judiciary of Uganda has intensified preparations for its first-ever Mobile High Court session in Kampala, scheduled to begin on April 13, 2026, in Ggaba, Wakiso District.
The session, which will be held at the Ggaba Community Church grounds, marks a significant shift in how judicial services are delivered, bringing court proceedings closer to communities directly affected by high-profile cases.
On Friday, the Deputy Registrar of the Criminal Division, Samuel Twakyire, chaired a preparatory meeting in Ggaba to coordinate logistics for the historic sitting.
The meeting brought together stakeholders from the Judiciary, Uganda Police Force, Uganda Prisons Service, and local leadership to align on operational and security arrangements.
The Mobile High Court session follows the issuance of the Constitution (Operation of Mobile Courts) (Practice) Directions, 2026—Legal Notice No. 1 of 2026—by the Chief Justice.
The new framework allows courts to sit outside traditional courtrooms where necessary, with the aim of enhancing access to justice, expediting case disposal, and addressing matters of significant public interest within affected communities.
This inaugural session will hear the case of Christopher Okello Onyum, who faces four counts of murder in connection with the widely reported Ggaba toddler killings. The trial will be presided over by Justice Alice Komuhangi Khaukha.
As part of the preparations, officials inspected multiple potential venues before settling on the church grounds, with security considerations playing a central role in the decision. Authorities anticipate significant public interest in the proceedings and have developed a controlled access system to manage attendance.
According to officials, access to the venue will be categorised to include religious leaders, court officials, representatives of the victims’ families, security agencies, media, and local leaders, in a bid to ensure order and safety during the hearings.
To further promote transparency and public engagement, the Judiciary announced that proceedings will be livestreamed on social media platforms, allowing broader public access beyond those physically present.
The Mobile High Court initiative is part of the Judiciary’s wider reform agenda aimed at decentralising justice services and responding more effectively to community-specific needs, particularly in cases that carry deep social impact.
