Uganda Court of Appeal: Mbale Civil Hearings Address Backlog

• The Uganda Court of Appeal held a two-day civil appeals session in Mbale from October 12-13, aimed at decentralizing appellate justice.
• Deputy Chief Justice Moses Kawumi Kazibwe inaugurated the session, highlighting the need for better coordination within the justice system.
• The Court of Appeal faces a significant backlog of 14,127 cases and operates with only 19 out of 35 approved judges.
• Litigants from eastern Uganda welcomed the initiative, citing reduced travel burdens and improved access to justice compared to traveling to Kampala.
• The Judiciary is implementing measures like alternative dispute resolution and expedited hearings to clear old cases and address systemic delays, alongside plans for infrastructure improvements and recruitment.

The initiative represents a significant step towards decentralizing appellate justice, directly addressing the long-standing challenges faced by litigants in eastern Uganda who previously endured arduous and costly journeys to Kampala for their civil appeals.

The Uganda Court of Appeal recently conducted a specialized two-day civil appeals session in Mbale, running from October 12 to 13. This significant move marks a strategic effort towards Uganda appellate justice decentralization, aiming to provide easier access to judicial services for residents of eastern Uganda. The initiative represents a significant step towards decentralizing appellate justice, directly addressing the long-standing challenges faced by litigants in eastern Uganda who previously endured arduous and costly journeys to Kampala for their civil appeals.

Deputy Chief Justice Moses Kawumi Kazibwe officially inaugurated the Mbale civil appeals session, underscoring the judiciary's commitment to enhancing the efficiency and accessibility of the justice system. The proceedings were overseen by a distinguished panel of three justices, led by Justice Christopher Gashirabake, and included Justices Margaret Tibulya and Cornelia K. Sabiiti. This localized hearing is part of a broader initiative to alleviate the burden on litigants and streamline the judicial process.

The decision to hold the Mbale civil appeals session comes amidst pressing challenges confronting the Uganda justice system. The Court of Appeal is currently grappling with a substantial backlog, with 14,127 cases awaiting resolution. This issue is compounded by a significant shortage of judicial officers; the court operates with only 19 judges against an approved establishment of 35. Deputy Chief Justice Kazibwe highlighted that the Judiciary, like other government agencies, faces considerable constraints, particularly a lack of adequate financing despite its heavy workload.

During the session's opening, Deputy Chief Justice Moses Kawumi Kazibwe engaged with various justice sector stakeholders to discuss the systemic issues contributing to delays in case resolution. He emphasized the critical need for enhanced coordination among all institutions within the justice system to effectively address these bottlenecks. This collaborative approach is deemed essential for making tangible progress in reducing the overall Uganda justice system backlog and improving timely justice delivery.

The decentralization of court services has been met with considerable relief and appreciation from litigants in the region, directly improving eastern Uganda access to justice. Daod Swaleh, a resident of Mbale's Industrial Division, shared his personal struggles, recounting a near-accident in 2024 while driving his father to the Court of Appeal in Kampala. He lauded the Judiciary for bringing the proceedings closer to home, noting that such arrangements significantly ease the financial and logistical burdens for those who cannot afford repeated trips to the capital.

Similarly, Apofia, who traveled from Busia, expressed gratitude for the initiative. Her land dispute had necessitated numerous journeys to Kampala, making the local hearing a welcome change. The experiences of these individuals vividly illustrate the practical benefits of the Mbale civil appeals session, demonstrating how localized hearings can remove significant barriers to justice for ordinary citizens.

Deputy Chief Justice Moses Kawumi Kazibwe acknowledged that delays in the administration of justice are not solely attributable to the Judiciary. He pointed to several external factors, including prolonged police investigations, lawyers failing to meet deadlines, and protracted settlement approval procedures. A critical issue he identified was the shortage of state attorneys, with over 30 courts operating without their presence, which directly impacts the timely handling of cases involving the government. Kazibwe noted that the public often misattributes these broader systemic delays entirely to judicial officers.

To address these multifaceted challenges, the Judiciary is actively implementing various measures. These include efforts to recruit more judicial officers and improve court infrastructure, such as the Court of Appeal facility in Mbale, projected for completion by the end of 2027. Internally, the administration is focusing on clearing old cases through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms and expediting hearings. Kazibwe stressed that achieving timely justice requires every institution in the justice chain to fulfill its responsibilities, and staffing gaps across the sector are being addressed.

Lawyers with civil appeals originating from eastern Uganda should note the judiciary's initiative to decentralize appellate hearings, potentially reducing travel burdens and expediting case resolution. This move also signals a broader effort by the Ugandan judiciary to address significant case backlogs and systemic inefficiencies, which may influence litigation strategies and timelines nationwide.

Source: Original reporting via local media reports