The Anti-Corruption Division (ACD) of the High Court has held its inaugural Bar–Bench meeting, bringing together judicial officers, prosecutors, defence lawyers, and representatives from key justice sector institutions to foster greater collaboration in the administration of justice.
The meeting, chaired by Justice Michael Elubu, the Head of the Division, took place at the court premises on Wednesday afternoon.
It aimed at enhancing coordination between the Bench and the Bar and addressing operational challenges affecting the efficiency of the Division.
Justice Elubu commended participants for their commitment, expressing optimism that the platform would evolve into a solution-driven forum to improve service delivery.
He emphasised the importance of Bar–Bench engagements in effective case management and urged members to raise issues openly and constructively.
“The absence of a witness-protection framework within the ACD Rules remains a major gap that requires urgent attention,” Justice Elubu noted, adding that lessons could be drawn from the International Crimes Division Rules, which provide clearer guidance on disclosure.
Lady Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga, the Deputy Head of the Division, underscored the role of disciplined case management in ensuring timely justice.
She praised advocates for their professionalism but expressed concern over reports of corruption involving some lawyers who allegedly solicit money from litigants under the guise of influencing court decisions.
“There was a recent case where an accused person was deceived by an advocate who claimed he could ‘fix’ a case. Such conduct undermines public trust in the justice system,” Justice Okuo cautioned, urging all players to uphold integrity and ethics.
Justice David Makumbi, who also addressed the meeting, encouraged candid dialogue and transparency between the prosecution and defence. He stressed the importance of proper record-keeping and advance preparation to ensure smooth proceedings.
Counsel Henry Kunya, contributing to the open session, warned that some advocates risk damaging the reputation of judicial officers in attempts to manage client expectations. He proposed disciplinary action against such practitioners.
Participants also raised concerns about challenges in the pre-trial disclosure process, including its labour-intensive nature and instances where defence counsel decline to receive materials.
Calls were made for judicial officers to take a more proactive role during preliminary hearings and for continuous training to strengthen professionalism and ethics.
The meeting resolved that the Bar–Bench forum will convene quarterly to review progress and tackle emerging issues within the Division.
Among those in attendance were Assistant Registrar Patrick Ngereza Talisuna; Principal Magistrates Grade I Christopher Opit and Paul Mujuni; Magistrates Grade I Esther Asiimwe and HW Joanita Nassali; prosecutors from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the Inspectorate of Government (IGG), and the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA); as well as advocates from private practice.