Edgar Tabaro

The Deputy Chief Justice, Justice Moses Kazibwe Kawumi, has called for coordinated action to improve juvenile justice, address shortages of State Attorneys and strengthen constructive engagement between the Judiciary and the Uganda Law Society (ULS). He made the remarks today while opening a two-day Court of Appeal criminal session at Fort Portal High Court. The session, running from October 20 to 21, 2026, is hearing 30 criminal appeals before a panel comprising the Deputy Chief Justice, Lady Justice Irene Mulyagonja and Justice Jesse Byaruhanga. Addressing justice sector stakeholders, Justice Kazibwe commended the Head of Fort Portal High Court Circuit, Justice Vincent Emmy Mugabo, for presenting a detailed report on the Circuit’s performance and operational challenges. He said the report provided a useful basis for identifying areas requiring intervention. The Deputy Chief Justice expressed concern about the limited number of remand homes and difficulties in transporting children to court. He urged stakeholders to collectively advocate for practical measures to improve children’s welfare and access to justice. “We must, as a country and as stakeholders in this sector, do something about children. The situation is getting worse, and we need to make our voices heard about children,” he said. On prosecution services, Justice Kazibwe noted that shortages of State Attorneys were affecting court operations and delaying case disposal. He called for a shared effort to address the staffing gaps, emphasising that effective justice delivery depends on adequately resourced institutions throughout the justice system. “The fight is for all of us. Let us all carry that cross and work together to strengthen the system so that the flow of justice is even,” he said. He commended the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for enabling junior State Attorneys to attend the session, noting that exposure to appellate proceedings provides valuable practical learning and mentorship. Responding to concerns raised by the ULS representative about pending appeals involving the Society, the Deputy Chief Justice said the matters were being handled and reaffirmed the Judiciary’s commitment to constructive engagement. He emphasised that the Judiciary and the Bar share a responsibility to serve the people of Uganda and should address their differences through dialogue. He also acknowledged that the Judiciary has shortcomings and benefits from constructive feedback. “We have no fight with the Uganda Law Society,” he said. “What we call for is constructive engagement.” Justice Kazibwe urged leaders in the legal profession to demonstrate mutual respect, exercise restraint in public statements and set a positive example. He also encouraged the use of mediation and other appropriate Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms to resolve disputes. He thanked Police, Prisons, the ODPP, advocates and other stakeholders for their cooperation, describing justice delivery as a chain whose effectiveness depends on every institution playing its part. The Deputy Chief Justice further encouraged stakeholders to publicise court judgments through local media, particularly decisions involving serious offences, to improve public understanding and support crime prevention. Lady Justice Mulyagonja highlighted the need for more court sessions to address prison congestion and expedite criminal proceedings. Referring to the Circuit’s report of 990 convicts and 767 remand prisoners at Katojo Main Prison, she cautioned that prolonged delays could undermine the availability of evidence. “The more people stay on remand, the less evidence you will have when you are disposing of their cases,” she said