Despite progress in some areas, critical issues such as staff shortages, budgetary limitations, and inefficiencies in related justice agencies continue to hinder effective service delivery.
The Judiciary’s staffing levels remain alarmingly low. As of October 2024, only 31% of approved positions are filled, leaving a glaring gap in meeting the growing demand for justice.
This shortage extends to administrative staff, undermining case management and contributing to delays in the justice system.
Budgetary constraints exacerbate the problem. While the government pledged to increase the Judiciary’s budget to Shs800 billion by FY 2025/26, the allocation for FY 2024/25 is only Shs442 billion.
This shortfall hampers the expansion of judicial services and delays the implementation of technological innovations like the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS).
“For the Judiciary to deliver on its mandate effectively, the budgetary support must match the increasing demands for justice,” emphasized Pius Bigirimana, Secretary to the Judiciary.
Inadequacies in complementary agencies such as the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Uganda Police Force, and the Judicial Service Commission further strain the system.
These agencies lack the resources and capacity to effectively support the Judiciary's initiatives, complicating efforts to address case backlogs.
Progress Amidst Hurdles
Despite these challenges, the Judiciary has achieved notable progress. The introduction of ECCMIS has been transformative, automating the lifecycle of court cases in 13 court stations.
This system has increased case filing rates by 20.6% and improved case completion rates by 17.5%, while minimizing opportunities for corruption.
Efforts to expand access to justice include constructing new court buildings and renovating existing structures.
Recent completions, such as the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal buildings, alongside multiple district-level magistrate courts, have improved national court coverage from 51% in FY 2020/21 to 80% in FY 2024/25.
Technological adaptation has also been a priority. Video conferencing systems are operational in 17 courts, enabling remote adjudication and reducing the need for physical appearances.
Additionally, equipping judicial officers with computers has enhanced efficiency in judgment writing and remote work capabilities.
Chief Registrar Sarah Langa Siu highlighted the role of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, such as mediation, in expediting justice.
“Mediation is not just about reducing the backlog; it ensures that justice is timely, fair, and accessible to everyone, regardless of their status or location,” she said.
Training mediators nationwide has further strengthened this approach.
The Judiciary's comprehensive case backlog strategy has also borne fruit, with unresolved cases decreasing from 32% in FY 2020/21 to 25.03% by September 2024.
Upholding Integrity
A zero-tolerance policy on corruption remains central to the Judiciary’s mission. Regular monitoring of judicial officers and the implementation of robust systems aim to uphold the integrity of Uganda’s justice delivery mechanisms.
While the Judiciary continues to make strides in modernizing and expanding its services, the persistent issues of staffing and funding require urgent attention.
Without addressing these core challenges, the promise of timely and equitable justice for all Ugandans risks being undermined.