Engagement with formal courts in Uganda has increased since 2015, with more Ugandans feeling confident that they can bring disputes to court and receive a fair resolution. However, despite this progress, accessibility to the courts continues to pose significant challenges.
These findings are part of a recent survey conducted by Afrobarometer, in collaboration with Hatchile Consult Ltd.
The survey reveals that the proportion of Ugandans participating in formal court proceedings has risen from 12% in 2015 to 18% in 2025, a notable increase.
Additionally, the number of individuals involved in formal court cases three or more times has grown from 2% in 2015 to 4% in 2025. Furthermore, those who have engaged with the courts at least once has risen from 8% in 2015 to 10% in 2025.
Despite these positive trends, the report highlights that many Ugandans still face barriers to accessing courts. High legal costs, complex court processes, and geographical distances remain significant obstacles.
Francis Kibirige, the national coordinator of Hatchile Consult Ltd, addressed the issues at the survey release event held at Hotel Africana.
He identified high legal fees, including court and lawyer charges, as primary barriers preventing many Ugandans from accessing justice.
Additionally, Kibirige noted that many courts are located far from rural areas, and the complexity of court procedures often discourages individuals from seeking redress.
"Many say court fees, lawyer fees, and related costs are too high. But also, many say that courts are too far and court processes are very complex and hard to understand," Kibirige explained.
Kibirige further revealed that some Ugandans struggle to understand court decisions, which leads to a perception that court outcomes are biased.
"Some feel that court judgments are influenced politically or along gender lines, with decisions favoring men over women or certain groups over others," he said.
The survey also found that these challenges were more prevalent among low-income earners, the less educated, and rural residents who often lack the resources to pursue legal battles.
Kibirige stressed the importance of significant investment in access to justice, calling for a system where financial resources or social connections do not determine an individual's ability to seek justice.
"Regardless of how much you have, what should matter is that I have a dispute I want to take to court, and I should be able to access justice," he said.
During a panel discussion, lawyer and Executive Director of the Electoral Laws Institute, Ahimbisibwe, urged the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs to establish an improved alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanism.
"Alternative dispute resolution is already taking place, and it is one of the reasons more people are seeking formal ways of resolving disputes," he noted.
Ahimbisibwe emphasized the need for a formal ADR body to make justice more affordable and quicker than the traditional court system, where lawyers' fees can often be prohibitive.
This year, the Cabinet approved the National Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Policy to alleviate the backlog of cases in Uganda's judicial system.
The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs is expected to provide further details on the policy's implementation, which will include awareness campaigns and training for legal professionals.
The survey also found that many Ugandans perceive human rights violations as commonplace, with half of the respondents citing lengthy court processes as a significant barrier to justice.
Around one-third of respondents reported witnessing gender-based violence and child abuse, while one-fifth mentioned frequent occurrences of disappearances or arbitrary arrests.
The Afrobarometer survey focused on the quality of democracy and governance in Africa, using a standardized questionnaire that allows for cross-national comparisons and time-series analysis.
The survey explored public attitudes toward democracy, governance, and access to justice, among other key topics.