The report launched by the Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny Dollo indicated that 239,431 cases were completed, out of a total caseload of 401,269 that were in the judicial system.
The report attributes this progress to the effective implementation of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms, such as Plea-Bargaining, Small Claims Procedure, and Mediation.
According to the report Plea-Bargaining Programme recorded a 22% increase in cases disposed off, from 5,246 in FY2022/23 to 6,408 in FY2023/24. The Judiciary said that this initiative has helped de-congest prisons across the country.
The report also indicates that construction of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal buildings was completed and commissioned by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni early this year. These state-of-the-art facilities provide a conducive environment for justice delivery
However, the report also indicates that inadequate budgetary support also poses a significant challenge, making it difficult to fund basic services and court infrastructure. Most court buildings are old and dilapidated, with some operating in rented premises, costing the Judiciary 11 billion shillings in rent annually.
According to the report, corruption and bribery within the Judiciary remain concerns, with issues such as court clerks giving wrong dates or hiding case files, middlemen extorting money allegedly to influence bail or judgment decisions, and refusal to serve court notices, proceedings, judgments, or orders.
The report further outlined key priorities for FY 2024/25, including recruiting more judicial officers, conducting backlog reduction sessions, promoting Alternative Dispute Resolution, and upgrading court facilities.
The Judiciary plans to allocate more resources to conduct backlog reduction sessions in various High Court Circuits and Magistrate Courts.
Report by: Betty Zziwa
