The Justice of the Court of Appeal and Court Administrator, Justice Geoffrey Kiryabwire, has called for faster, people-centred justice delivery, greater use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), and stronger coordination among justice sector stakeholders as the Court of Appeal criminal session commenced in Mbarara.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting held alongside the session, Justice Kiryabwire outlined the Judiciary’s ongoing transformation agenda, which he said is focused on bringing judicial services closer to the people, strengthening stakeholder engagement, and improving access to timely justice.
Justice Kiryabwire noted that, under the transformation agenda, the Judiciary is constructing permanent regional Court of Appeal Circuits in Mbarara and Gulu to reduce the burden and costs faced by litigants who previously had to travel to Kampala to access appellate court services.
The two-day criminal session, which started on Tuesday and concludes tomorrow, Wednesday, May 20, 2026, will handle a total of 28 cases as part of efforts to reduce case backlog and extend appellate services closer to communities.
The session is being presided over by a panel comprising Justice Cheborion Barishaki, Justice Oscar Kihika, and Lady Justice Stella Alibateese.
Justice Kiryabwire said the Judiciary is also strengthening engagement with communities and justice sector stakeholders through regular interactions, including Court of Appeal pre-session stakeholder dinners aimed at breaking barriers between judicial officers and the public while building trust in the justice system.
Justice Kiryabwire urged stakeholders to embrace Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms, cautioning against relying solely on litigation to resolve disputes.
According to him, many disputes can be effectively resolved through mediation, Small Claims Procedure, and plea bargaining.
Justice Kiryabwire added that the Judiciary is positioning itself as a facilitator of social harmony and economic growth by ensuring disputes are resolved quickly, allowing individuals and businesses to continue with productive activities.
Justice Kiryabwire particularly encouraged greater use of the Small Claims Procedure for disputes involving Shs 10 million and below, describing it as one of the Judiciary’s fastest processes capable of resolving cases within a single day.
Justice Kiryabwire also called upon legal practitioners and civic leaders to familiarise themselves with the new Mediation Rules 2026, noting that mediation and community reconciliation mechanisms reflect traditional African justice approaches that prioritise dialogue and restoration over prolonged conflict.
“We want to ensure that conflict is reduced in society. We want to see that we deal with conflicts where decisions are made as quickly as possible,” he said.
Justice Kiryabwire further appealed to the Uganda Police Force and prosecutors to avoid criminalising civil disputes, especially debt-related matters that are often registered as “obtaining money by false pretences,” yet could instead be resolved through civil and small claims processes.
According to him, unnecessary prosecutions continue to overload the justice system.
The Court of Appeal Administrator also urged prisons authorities to strengthen coordination with Court registries by consistently updating information on inmates and appellants in order to minimise delays and reduce case backlog.
In his remarks, Justice Barishaki reaffirmed the Judiciary’s commitment to timely justice delivery, assuring stakeholders that the Justices presiding over the session would ensure appeals are heard and judgments delivered promptly.
He also urged lawyers to file their submissions on time to support efficient case disposal.
Responding to concerns raised by the representative of the Resident City Commissioner regarding alleged misconduct by some magistrates in handling money lending disputes, Justice Barishaki advised aggrieved parties to utilise established complaint mechanisms, including reporting implicated judicial officers to the Judicial Service Commission for disciplinary action.
Justice Gelase Kwemara Kafuuzi also urged all stakeholders to cooperate fully to ensure effective delivery of justice throughout the session.
