Kerry Howard Mwesigwa.
Uganda’s pursuit of justice takes a significant leap forward as the government unveils an audacious plan to tackle the backlog of court cases. With an aim to resolve approximately 6,000 cases by the end of June 2024, this transformative initiative seeks to address the longstanding issue of delayed justice that has burdened the nation with an overwhelming caseload of 50,000 pending cases.
During the presentation of the national budget for the 2023/2024 financial year, Finance Minister Matia Kasaija highlighted the government’s unwavering commitment to enhancing the judicial system. Kasaija emphasized that a remarkable 117 districts across the country already boast fully operational frontline criminal and civil justice service delivery points, encompassing vital components such as police stations, courts, prisons, prosecution services, and legal aid services. The government’s ambitious goal is to expand this coverage to include 119 districts by the specified deadline, ensuring a comprehensive and accessible justice system.
To support this transformative endeavor, the sectors of security, governance, legislature, and administration of justice have witnessed a significant boost in budget allocation. With an increased funding of shillings 9.1 trillion, up from shillings 8.1 trillion, the government underscores the paramount importance of a robust and efficient justice system in safeguarding the rights and well-being of its citizens.
Minister Kasaija acknowledged that certain infrastructure projects remain outstanding, including the completion of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal buildings in Kampala, as well as the High Court buildings in Soroti, Rukungiri, Alebtong, Budaka, and Lyantonde. Furthermore, efforts will be made to finalize the construction of magistrates’ court buildings in Karenga, Patongo, and Abim. These vital infrastructure investments are essential to ensuring the seamless functioning of the judiciary and enabling timely access to justice.
In his budget presentation, Minister Kasaija reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law as the bedrock for socio-economic progress. In addition to the comprehensive efforts to strengthen the justice system, the minister outlined plans to bolster the security and intelligence services, effectively address security threats, and fortify the nation’s defense capability.
