President Yoweri Museveni has underscored the need for swift justice delivery and the Africanisation of Uganda’s legal processes, describing both as critical pillars for economic growth, investor confidence, and national stability.
In a message delivered by Vice President Jessica Alupo at the 27th Annual Judges Conference in Kampala on Monday, Museveni said Uganda’s Judiciary must be efficient, responsive, and deeply rooted in the cultural values and traditions of its people.
The President stressed that timely resolution of commercial and land disputes is essential for economic progress, warning that prolonged court delays disrupt business activity, discourage investment, and heighten social tensions.
“Every judgment you write, every case you manage, and every backlog you clear is not just an act of law; it is an act of economic enablement,” Museveni said. “You directly contribute to capital formation, job creation, and national income growth.”
Museveni further called for a justice system that serves ordinary Ugandans by integrating indigenous dispute resolution mechanisms alongside formal court processes. He noted that community-based reconciliation and traditional conflict resolution systems can make justice more accessible, affordable, and culturally meaningful.
“Justice should not only be delivered in courtrooms but also through community reconciliation and indigenous conflict resolution mechanisms,” he said.
The President also highlighted judicial wellness as a strategic governance issue, arguing that a healthy and well-supported Judiciary is essential for clearing case backlogs and ensuring timely and predictable justice.
“Judicial wellness is not a peripheral concern. A healthy, organized, and well-led Judiciary is a productive Judiciary—one that clears cases faster, manages pressure better, and delivers predictable justice,” Museveni noted.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the Judiciary through improved infrastructure, staffing, and training under the National Development Plan Five, emphasizing that an efficient justice system is vital to Uganda’s economic transformation and social stability.
Museveni commended the outgoing Chief Justice, Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, for his contributions to alternative dispute resolution reforms and congratulated the newly appointed Chief Justice, Dr. Flavian Zeija, urging continued efforts to enhance efficiency, reduce case backlogs, and restore public confidence in the courts.
“The wananchi are watching,” Museveni said in conclusion. “They want results.”
