Court registrars from across the country have begun a two-day training on Gender-Responsive Adjudication (GRA) aimed at strengthening their capacity to deliver fair, inclusive and gender-sensitive justice.
The training, organised by the International Association of Women Judges–Uganda Chapter (IAWJ-UC), opened on July 9, 2026 at the Court of Appeal Conference Hall in Kampala and will run until July 10 under the theme: “Strengthening Judicial Capacity to Advance Gender Responsive Adjudication in Uganda.”
The programme is supported by UN Women and the Austrian Development Cooperation through the Justice for Her Project.
While opening the training, Principal Judge Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo said gender-responsive adjudication is essential in promoting constitutional principles of equality, fairness and non-discrimination within the justice system.
"As judicial officers and court administrators, you are often the first point of contact for court users and therefore you play a critical role in shaping public confidence in the Judiciary," Abodo said.
She encouraged participants to use the Gender-Responsive Adjudication Resource Manual as a practical guide in their daily work and ensure that all court users are treated with dignity, fairness and respect.
The President of the International Association of Women Judges–Uganda Chapter, Lady Justice Olive Kazaarwe Mukwaya, said registrars have a dual responsibility as both judicial officers and court administrators.
She urged participants to embrace the training and apply the knowledge gained to strengthen gender-responsive justice while improving efficiency in court operations.
Representing the Austrian Embassy, Dr Yvonne Katja Kerschbaumer reaffirmed Austria’s commitment to supporting Uganda’s justice sector, saying stronger judicial capacity in gender-responsive adjudication is important in improving access to justice.
"Strengthening judicial capacity in gender-responsive adjudication is essential to improving access to justice, enhancing the response to sexual and gender-based violence, and ensuring that all forms of gender-based violence are effectively addressed," Kerschbaumer said.
The training is being facilitated by Lady Justice Florence Nakachwa Dollo, Zulaika Nanteza, Jackline Kagoya and Joy Kebirungi Natukunda.
The facilitators are taking participants through presentations, case studies, practical exercises and interactive discussions aimed at improving understanding and application of gender-responsive adjudication principles in Uganda’s courts.
