Justice Lawrence Tweyanze officially began his new role yesterday as the Resident Judge at the Kasese High Court, ushering in what many see as a new chapter for the Circuit.
With more than 26 years of experience in the Judiciary, his appointment has been met with optimism and high expectations for greater efficiency and professionalism.
He was received by Deputy Registrar Ivan Nkwasibwe, who briefed him on the current state of the court and ongoing administrative efforts.
The visit marked the beginning of what is expected to be a period of renewed energy and commitment to judicial excellence.
Speaking to both judicial and non-judicial staff, Justice Tweyanze introduced his guiding theme for the year—“Moving Forward Despite”—a message of resilience in the face of challenges. He encouraged unity among staff, ongoing professional development, and a shared dedication to upholding the integrity of the justice system.
In a detailed address, the judge set out clear operational expectations. He emphasized punctuality, directing that all staff report by 8am, with court proceedings commencing at 9am sharp.
He also reminded staff to maintain professional conduct, including wearing identification badges, dressing appropriately, and remaining fully engaged during work and meetings.
Administrative efficiency was another area of focus. Justice Tweyanze called for the registry to be kept in excellent order and instructed that the court’s fee structure be visibly displayed in the cashier’s office to foster transparency and public trust.
To improve access to justice, he encouraged increased use of Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms, alongside Plea Bargaining in criminal cases—a strategy aimed at reducing case backlogs and speeding up the resolution of matters before the court.
He took a firm stance on integrity, reiterating the Judiciary’s zero-tolerance policy on corruption. As part of this, he ordered anti-corruption signage to be placed in visible areas around the court premises, as a constant reminder of the values of transparency and accountability.
Staff welcomed the Judge’s structured and proactive approach but also raised concerns—particularly the absence of a public waiting area, which they said needs urgent attention to improve service delivery and comfort for court users.
The day ended with a guided tour of key court facilities, including the High Court Registry and Archives, led by Justice Tweyanze and joined by all judicial officers in Kasese.
While serving in Masaka, Justice Tweyanze presided over several high-profile cases, including one involving the late legislator Muhammad Segirinya and fellow MP Allan Ssewanyana, who were accused of murder.