Buyende Magistrates Court on Thursday held a public awareness and sensitisation campaign aimed at improving access to justice, strengthening accountability, and educating communities on court processes and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
The engagement attracted a wide cross-section of participants, including court users, local leaders, justice actors, advocates, prison officers, court staff, and members of the public.
The turnout reflected growing interest in understanding how the Judiciary operates and the range of services available within the justice system.
The campaign primarily focused on bridging the knowledge gap between the Judiciary and the public by equipping participants with practical information on legal procedures, dispute resolution options, and the rights of court users.
Speaking during the engagement, Paul Khaukha, Senior Principal Magistrate Grade I at Buyende Magistrates Court, underscored the importance of legal awareness in building public trust in the Judiciary.
“Increased public understanding of the justice system helps build trust and confidence in the Judiciary,” he said, encouraging participants to actively engage in the discussions and familiarize themselves with court processes.
He reaffirmed the court’s open-door policy, urging members of the public to seek justice without fear or hesitation.
At the same time, he cautioned court users against dealing with imposters and advised them to always interact with authorised court personnel.
Khaukha further highlighted key Judiciary initiatives aimed at improving timely justice delivery, including plea bargaining, mediation, the small claims procedure, and arbitration.
He noted that these mechanisms continue to play a significant role in reducing case backlog and promoting faster resolution of disputes.
The session was officially opened by Haruna Balikowa, Chairperson of Buyende Ward Zone, who commended the Judiciary for taking legal awareness programmes closer to communities.
He emphasised the importance of continuous engagements, especially for Local Council leaders who frequently handle disputes at the grassroots level and require a clearer understanding of legal procedures and jurisdictional boundaries.
Participants were also sensitised by Evas Kobusingye, the Judiciary Client Service Officer, on mediation, plea bargaining, small claims procedures, bail refunds, complaints-handling mechanisms, and the Judiciary Call Centre services.
Kobusingye encouraged the public to embrace mediation and the small claims procedure, noting that they are cost-effective and time-saving alternatives to lengthy court processes.
She said these approaches also help reduce case backlog and improve overall efficiency in justice delivery.
The interactive session provided an opportunity for participants to directly engage judicial officers and raise concerns affecting court users.
Issues discussed included bail eligibility, the cost of police bonds, evidentiary requirements under the small claims procedure, jurisdiction of local councils, plea bargaining processes, and sentencing practices.
Closing the engagement, Simon Waiswa, Chairperson of Busuuyi Zone in Makanga Ward, commended the Judiciary for creating a platform that enabled direct interaction between judicial officers and the community.
He particularly praised Magistrate Khaukha for openly engaging residents and local leaders, describing the initiative as a rare but important step in strengthening public trust in the justice system.
