Chief Justice Flavian Zeija has warned that Uganda’s Judiciary cannot afford delays in tackling gender-based violence (GBV), urging faster case handling, enhanced survivor support, and strengthened institutional capacity as the Justice 4 Her Project is rolled out in selected High Court circuits.
Speaking during a high-level hybrid review meeting at the Court of Appeal Building in Kampala, Zeija said the initiative aims to strengthen the Judiciary’s ability to identify, prioritize, and expeditiously dispose of GBV cases while ensuring survivor-centred justice.
“GBV remains a serious justice challenge requiring systemic reforms, improved case management, and coordinated institutional response. This project must deliver results. There is no room for failure,” he said, adding that he and the Principal Judge will closely monitor implementation.
The Justice 4 Her Project is being implemented in the High Court circuits of Masaka and Gulu for three years ending November 2027, and in Nebbi for a 12-month period ending April 2026.
The initiative seeks to improve case tracking and management using information technology, promote survivor-centred approaches within court processes, and reduce delays that discourage victims from pursuing justice.
Implementation began in November 2025 with training on GBV case identification, a case census, and monitoring visits at Masaka High Court and Sembabule Chief Magistrate’s Court.
Following a technical meeting in January 2026, an acceleration plan was adopted to ensure simultaneous implementation across participating courts between January and May 2026.
The project agreement was signed on 19 December 2025, with a total budget of Shs 2.54 trillion. Funding for Masaka and Gulu is provided by the Austrian Development Cooperation through UN Women, while Nebbi is funded by the Embassy of the Netherlands via UN Women, alongside counterpart funding from the Government of Uganda.
On February 5. 2026, Shs720.8 million was disbursed to support implementation in Masaka and Gulu for February to June 2026, representing 38.3 percent of expected UN Women funding.
Funds for Nebbi are pending the signing of an addendum to the project agreement.
Under approved work plans, the Judicial Training Institute will train case management teams and interpreters in GBV case handling and victim support.
The Registry of Communications and Public Relations will produce and translate public education materials and organise radio talk shows and court open days.
Finance and Administration will establish victim-friendly rooms, while the ICT Department will procure audio-visual equipment to support GBV hearings.
Adekenin Ndieli, Deputy Country Representative of UN Women, commended the Judiciary’s leadership and highlighted the importance of structured reporting and performance tracking to embed reforms into routine court operations.
Katja Yvonne Kerschbaumer reaffirmed Austria’s commitment, noting its €3.5 million pledge for the project’s second phase from December 2024 to November 2027.
She described gender-based violence as both a human rights violation and a development challenge.
Judicial officials noted that delays, weak survivor support systems, and inadequate coordination have historically undermined the prosecution of GBV cases.
The Justice 4 Her Project aims to address these structural weaknesses and strengthen public confidence in the justice system.
