news 10 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Delayed Justice Complaints Cloud Court Open Day
Complaints about prolonged case handling, even after settlements via alternative dispute resolution, dominated Uganda's third National Court Open Day. Litigants voiced frustrations over slow processes and unresolved issues. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/delayed-justice-complaints-dominate-3rd-court-open-day-5591180
The third National Court Open Day in Uganda was largely overshadowed by public complaints regarding significant delays in the justice system. Court users expressed their frustration with how long cases take to be resolved, a problem that persists even when parties have reached amicable agreements through alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms like mediation.
One notable complaint came from Dr. Aisha Bukenya of Marvid Pharmaceuticals, who stated that despite mediating a dispute with a Pakistani company in December of the previous year, the court had yet to release security deposits as ordered. She attributed the delay to bureaucratic technicalities concerning file numbers.
Another individual, who wished to remain anonymous, shared a long-standing land dispute from the early 1990s that had reached the appellate stage. He discovered a lack of a memorandum of appeal on his file, raising serious concerns about the case’s progression. This litigant also criticized some defense lawyers, accusing them of unnecessarily prolonging cases for financial gain, citing high consultation fees as a deterrent.
The Judiciary acknowledged these grievances, emphasizing the importance of public feedback for identifying challenges and improving services. Deputy Chief Justice Moses Kazibwe Kawumi encouraged citizens to utilize ADR methods, highlighting their cost-effectiveness and efficiency in bringing justice closer to the people.
Judiciary spokesperson James Ereemye Mawanda explained that officials at the event were directing complainants to specific court sections for direct assistance, a departure from previous years’ question-and-answer formats. The event, themed “Delivering Inclusive, Efficient and Effective Justice,” aimed to foster direct interaction between the public and judicial officials, providing guidance on various legal processes and allowing the Judiciary to gather crucial feedback.