Chief Justice Urges Better Alignment of National Plans and Funding

Chief Justice Flavian Zeija has highlighted the crucial link between effective national planning and robust resource allocation, asserting that Uganda’s development aspirations can only be met if they are supported by sufficient funding. This call for better alignment came during a recent meeting at the Supreme Court with a delegation from the National Planning Authority (NPA), led by Chairperson Professor Pamela Mbabazi.

Justice Zeija underscored the vital role of a well-functioning justice system in fostering investment, economic activity, social stability, and sustainable national development. He advocated for closer collaboration between the Judiciary, the NPA, and the bodies responsible for disbursing national funds.

He recalled an invitation from the NPA to discuss priority areas aimed at realizing Uganda’s Vision 2040 and its Ten-Fold Growth Strategy. The Chief Justice also referenced a prior meeting that convened political leaders, development partners, and UN agencies to address challenges within the justice sector and identify interventions.

Zeija commended the NPA for its efforts in assisting government bodies to align their actions with the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV) and Uganda’s broader economic transformation agenda. He also acknowledged the NPA’s past work with his predecessors in establishing the Administration of Justice Programme as a distinct entity under the Third National Development Plan, recognizing the sector’s significance.

Emphasizing interdependence, the Chief Justice stated that institutions within the justice system, such as the Police, Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Judiciary, and Prisons Service, must work cohesively as they are not independent entities but rather interconnected partners in delivering justice.

Despite these calls for improved coordination, Zeija also reported significant progress within the justice system. Case backlogs have seen a dramatic reduction, falling from over 70% in the 2023/24 financial year to approximately 25% by the end of the 2025/26 financial year. Furthermore, alternative dispute resolution mechanisms have successfully resolved over 7,400 disputes, and the Small Claims Procedure has concluded more than 27,000 claims, facilitating the injection of over Shs20 billion into the economy.

These achievements, Zeija concluded, underscore the importance of sustained investment, institutional synergy, and adequate resources in strengthening the justice sector and advancing Uganda’s overall development goals.

Source: Nile Post