justice reform 22 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Hoima High Court Wrestles with Over 5,000 Cases in Significant Backlog
The Hoima High Court faces a substantial backlog of over 5,000 individuals entangled in some 47 compensation-related cases, highlighting delays in justice delivery for the Albertine region. The recent establishment of a regional Attorney General's office is anticipated to alleviate this pressure. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/5-000-people-stuck-in-hoima-case-backlog-5469066
Hoima High Court is currently grappling with a significant case backlog, with over 5,000 people involved in 47 pending compensation-related disputes. These cases primarily stem from government development projects, land acquisition, and infrastructure initiatives in the rapidly developing Albertine region.
Resident Judge Justice Vincent Opyene stated that the delays were largely due to the previous lack of a dedicated regional office for the Attorney General in Hoima, which hampered coordination and slowed down judicial processes. The affected cases involve entities such as the Office of the Attorney General, the National Forestry Authority, the Uganda Road Fund, and the Uganda National Roads Authority.
In an effort to expedite justice, the new Hoima Regional Office of the Attorney General is expected to foster closer collaboration with the Judiciary. The court plans to utilize mediation to resolve disputes quickly and intends to hold special court sessions for unresolved cases, prioritizing those with large claimant groups due to limited space.
The establishment of this office is part of a broader government strategy to decentralize legal services. The Deputy Solicitor General, Charles Ouma, announced plans to open five more regional offices in the next financial year, aiming to bring legal assistance closer to citizens and proactively manage legal conflicts.
Local representatives, like Alex Katusabe, have welcomed the new office, emphasizing its importance given the Albertine region’s economic transformation driven by oil and gas activities, infrastructure projects, and industrial growth, all of which contribute to an increase in legal challenges.
The new regional office is poised to enhance governmental legal operations and improve access to timely justice for thousands of residents facing these complex legal issues.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda) https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/5-000-people-stuck-in-hoima-case-backlog-5469066