The Deputy Chief Justice, Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija, has officially opened a historic three-day Court of Appeal Civil Appeals Session in Kabale, the first of its kind in the region.
The session, which runs from November 11th to 13th, 2025, will handle 42 civil appeals and is presided over by a panel comprising Justice Dr. Zeija, Justice John Mike Musisi, and Justice Musa Ssekaana.
While addressing stakeholders during an engagement meeting, Justice Dr. Zeija noted that Kabale has hosted annual criminal appeals sessions since 2023, but this marks the first time civil appeals are being heard in the area.
“For a long time, the Court of Appeal focused mainly on criminal cases. However, stakeholders across the country requested that we extend civil sessions to the regions,” Dr. Zeija said.
“We responded by launching regional civil sessions in 2023, and Kabale now becomes the fifth host after Gulu, Mbarara, Jinja, and Fort Portal.”
He explained that the regional sessions aim to cut transportation and litigation costs for litigants while bringing justice closer to the people. He further revealed that the Judiciary plans to establish permanent regional circuits of the Court of Appeal in Gulu, Mbarara, Mbale, Masaka, Fort Portal, Arua, Jinja, and Mubende — with construction already underway in Gulu and Mbarara.
“This decentralization effort is part of our strategic goal to enhance access to justice for all Ugandans,” he emphasized.
Dr. Zeija also acknowledged the Court of Appeal’s heavy workload, attributing it to limited manpower, but assured the public that the appointing authority is committed to filling all 35 positions of Justices as provided by law.
“The future of justice delivery at the Court of Appeal looks bright,” he said, commending advocates who submitted their documents promptly and other justice actors who made the Kabale session possible. He pledged that judgments will be delivered within a reasonable time as part of the Judiciary’s drive to reduce case backlog.
The Deputy Chief Justice further highlighted the Judiciary’s digital transformation, noting that the Court of Appeal is now fully paperless.
All filings, payments, and judgments are managed electronically through the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS).
He added that the Court also uses audio-visual technology to conduct remote hearings and urged stakeholders to embrace the shift to digital systems.
Dr. Zeija further encouraged the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms such as mediation, plea bargaining, reconciliation, and the small claims procedure, emphasising that these innovations reduce case backlog and promote quicker, more affordable justice.
“The Judiciary has made it mandatory for all courts to hold at least one case settlement fortnight every quarter,” he reminded participants.
In his remarks, the Resident Judge of Kabale High Court, Justice Karoli Lwanga Ssemogerere, praised the Deputy Chief Justice for his leadership and commitment to improving service delivery.
He reported that the Kabale Circuit has made steady progress in handling civil, land, and family matters, and continues to work closely with partners including the Attorney General’s Office, the Ministry of Lands, and the Ministry of Labour to address issues such as land disputes, child protection, and the welfare of vulnerable persons.
Justice Ssemogerere particularly commended the Kabale Office of the Ministry of Lands for its role in providing vital information to resolve land-related cases and reaffirmed the Court’s commitment to strengthening justice delivery in the region.