By: Ismael Kasooha
KAMPALA
President Yoweri Museveni has called on the judiciary to be mindful of the larger public interest while dispensing justice.
“As you hear and determine cases in the Courts, please ensure that justice is dispensed promptly, fairly, and in a manner that reflects the larger public interest,” said the President.
The Chief Justice His Lordship Alfonse Owiny Dollo and the Deputy chief Justice welcoming the Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Nabbanja Robinah (left) at the 2025 New Law Year event
Museveni said that by settling disputes and promoting fairness and justice, the Courts contribute to a conducive and equitable working environment which in turn, supports the overall economic development and social welfare of Ugandans.
“Therefore, the role of Courts goes beyond settling cases and extends to shaping the socio-economic transformation of the country. The decisions you make have a bearing on the economy and society, noted the president.
He said that the Courts serve as stabilizing forces, promoting social harmony and economic progress.
Museveni added that public interest should always be in the minds of judges and magistrates as they take decisions so that the scales of justice shall be balanced in a way that protects the interests of all.
“The responsibility of the Courts should extend beyond the parties that appear before them. Every decision you make should be a reflection of the larger societal values of fairness, equity and justice. Some of the disputes the people bring before you are emotionally charged and sensitive in nature,” Museveni advised.
The Premier Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja being welcomed at the New Law Year at the Judiciary Headquaters in Kampala
He said that some matters involve estate distribution, land ownership and family disagreements which calls for sobriety to be well managed.
“In deciding these cases, the Courts must be sensitive to the rights of all beneficiaries especially the most vulnerable ones, such as the widows and the orphans,” the statement read in part.
The President noted that when the people who go to the Courts feel that they are protected from unjust claims and frivolous disputes, they are more likely to invest in their businesses and in turn contribute to national development.
“As you open the New Law Year today, you should be mindful of the challenges that may lie ahead of you. Dispute resolution mechanisms are rapidly changing. They are driven by global economic shifts, technological advancements and evolving workplace dynamics,” he said.
The President noted that Judges, advocates, prosecutors and those that work with them play an integral role in the administration of justice and their contribution to ensuring that we have a just society cannot be overstated.
“A nation cannot thrive where there is no justice. But the quality of advocacy before the Courts has a direct impact on the outcomes of cases,” he said.
A section of Judges attending the 2025 New Law year event at the Judiciary Headquarters in Kampala
The Head of State said that the government remains committed to supporting the Judiciary in improving access to justice by promoting user-friendly Courts, prompt disposal of cases, and quick dispensation of justice.
“We shall work tirelessly with all of you to ensure that justice is administered without delay. I am delighted to join you once again at this important event, of marking the New Law year, 2025 and I congratulate your Lordship the Chief Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo and the Judiciary for successfully ending the year 2024. I wish you a fruitful year, 2025,” said the President.
He thanked the judiciary for the great work they have done for the past year despite the challenges they may have faced.
“I applaud you for your noble efforts in transforming the Judiciary. I am pleased to learn that in this drive of changing the Judiciary, you are being considerate to the needs, aspirations and values of the people of Uganda. Judicial Service, like Public Service, should be for the benefit of the people, irrespective of their age, sex, tribe, religion etc,” he noted.
Museveni said that Justice must be for all and should be administered without discrimination.
“The Judicial services you render and the justice you administer must benefit our people. I congratulate you upon successfully concluding the 26th Annual Judges Conference. I have no doubt that as Judges of the land, you have been refreshed and equipped to continue administering justice to the ‘wanianchi’,” he said.
The President reiterated the need for working together as a team of all the three arms of government.
“As you go through this New Law Year, I implore you to bear in mind the following areas that will continue to advance our transformation agenda: –
- Leadership: We, the three arms of government must work as a team, enhance efficiency in service delivery through adoption of technology, establish strategic goals that are citizen centric and direct our efforts to achieve them; institutionalize mentorship and prioritize refresher training and induction programs before assumption of duty.
- Performance Management: Several years ago, I launched the Judiciary Performance Enhancement Tool. Performance management is very critical, if the Judiciary is to contribute to the social economic development of this Country. Development of Key Performance Indicators, strengthening the reward and sanction regime and investing in systems that are responsive to service delivery are all key. This is an area for the Judiciary to fully develop and roll out.
- Growing land eviction and grabbing: I urge your lordships to determine land matters judiciously and ensure the locus in quo is visited. You are the experts of the law so I want you to help the ‘wanainchi’ in coming up with very comprehensive guidelines on land evictions. I still receive complaints and witness incidents where evictions are not handled well. These unjust evictions will frustrate the different initiatives we have put in place to alleviate poverty like the Parish Development Model (PDM) which I must report to you is doing very well in some parts of the country. Some people have embraced PDM and have really made progress. Some have concentrated on growing cash crops such as coffee, tea and bananas while others have concentrated on rearing livestock. I have been to all parts of the country and I have seen this myself.
However, our farmers are being disturbed by thieves who have refused to work but want to reap where they did not sown. Even the Bible says in 2Thessalonians 3:1 0: ‘If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat’. Why do you at times protect thieves who are anti-development? Why do you make it so easy for thieves, murderers, land grabbers, rapists to be released on bail? What about the rights of the victims and the broader community?
- Corruption, growing indiscipline and impunity in the public service: Ugandans and foreign investors alike have continuously reported significant challenges when navigating the court system; including allegations of corruption, delays in case processing due to case backlogs, a complex land tenure regime, a lack of transparency in legal proceedings, and concerns that often make it difficult to enforce contracts and resolve commercial disputes effectively. Such challenges have negative consequences on our economy and consequently on the social and economic development of our country.
- Public concerns on the Judiciary: The Judiciary as an arm of Government, is charged with overseeing accountability and proper resource usage and management. There can be no State or Government without the Judiciary, in any democracy. When the Judiciary properly fulfills its constitutional mandate, then peace, good governance and sustainable economic development is achievable. Emerging trends like use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and automation of Court processes and procedures present both opportunities and challenges for the legal system and the Courts. Let us embrace technology since it is essential for the swift administration of justice and ensuring that the judicial system remains efficient and transparent. You must continuously adapt to these new realities. As our methods of work change so should our laws and procedures; in order to suit the changing times. Therefore, your lordships must continue enhancing the Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms which the Chief Justice is leading.
As Government, we shall continue to foster judicial independence by institutionalizing robust measures against any form of interference in judicial processes. I encourage you, My Lord Chief Justice, to continue and even intensify your efforts in public education initiatives to scale up awareness of judicial processes and procedures. When the ‘wanianchi’ are aware of these court processes, they will seek redress instead of taking the law in their hands which is not good for a democracy like Uganda.
The chief justice of Uganda Alfonse Owiny-Dollo thanked the government for the support rendered to the judiciary to deliver justice to the people.
Dollo said that the budget of the judiciary has more than tripled and the support in constructing the magnificent headquarters is a clear sign of the government’s desire to support the judiciary.
The Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Nobert Mao said that his Ministry was working towards ensuring the welfare of the judicial officials is improved for better service delivery.
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