The government has opened a regional office of the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs in Lira City in a move aimed at addressing persistent delays in legal services, costly litigation, and limited access to government legal representation in Northern Uganda.
For years, local governments, courts, and citizens in the Lango sub-region and neighboring areas have relied on the Attorney General's regional office in Gulu and, in some cases, Kampala for legal advice, contract vetting, and representation in civil matters.
Officials say the arrangement contributed to delays in court proceedings, slowed implementation of government projects, and increased operational costs.
Speaking during the commissioning of the office, Charles Ouma said the establishment of the Lira regional office is part of a broader decentralization strategy envisioned under Uganda's 1995 Constitution.
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"It is unfortunate that the policy was in place, but it had not been implemented as efficiently as expected," Ouma said. "But better late than never."
According to Ouma, the government previously operated only seven regional offices countrywide, forcing some offices to manage extremely large jurisdictions. He noted that advocates often had to travel long distances between districts to represent government institutions in court, affecting efficiency and timely justice delivery.
"An advocate would move from Gulu to Masindi, Hoima, and Lira before appearing in court. By the time they arrive, they are already exhausted," he said.
Ouma said the new office is expected to reduce travel burdens, cut transport costs, improve response time, and strengthen government representation in courts across the Lango sub-region.
The judiciary says the absence of nearby legal representation has also contributed to delays in handling cases involving government institutions.
Lady Justice Sarah Birungi Kalibbala said although the judiciary has expanded its presence to lower administrative areas over the years, the lack of corresponding legal support services weakened the effectiveness of justice delivery.
"Expanding the judiciary without expanding the people we work with was not helping us to be effective and efficient," Justice Kalibbala said.
She explained that courts often experienced delays because government lawyers were overstretched or unable to appear in time due to long-distance travel and limited staffing.
"There are many cases involving government, and delays have been caused by consultations and inadequate staffing," she said.
Justice Kalibbala added that the new office is expected to improve consultations, ensure timely filing of court documents, and reduce case backlog through quicker coordination with local governments and litigants.
Local government officials say delayed legal guidance has also exposed districts to costly litigation and financial losses.
Dokolo District Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Moses Otim said districts have struggled to obtain timely feedback from the Gulu regional office because of workload and distance.
"Our people are very informed and aware of their rights, so they need timely feedback," Otim said. "Previously, responses delayed because one office was serving a very large region."
He noted that some local governments have lost cases not necessarily because they were weak, but because they lacked timely legal support and effective follow-up.
Officials also believe the new office will improve accountability and speed up implementation of public projects.
Lawrence Egole said delayed contract vetting and legal consultations have slowed service delivery in sectors such as roads, education, and health.
"Legal services that protect public resources, defend government interests, and advise on lawful administration will now be available closer to where they are needed," Egole said.
He urged officers deployed to the office to uphold integrity and ensure value for money in handling public legal matters.
"Every contract you vet, every opinion you give, and every case you handle should protect the taxpayer and uphold the rule of law," he added.
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Officials also emphasized the need to promote Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) to reduce pressure on courts and encourage quicker settlement of disputes.
Ouma said many conflicts can be resolved through dialogue before escalating into court battles.
"The quickest solution is among ourselves," he said. "Let us have conversations before we transfer quarrels to the courts."
Justice Kalibbala also backed mediation, describing ADR as an important tool in reducing case backlog and improving access to timely justice.
The head of the new office, Simon Peter Muyomba, said his team is prepared to handle the demands of the region despite being relatively young.
"We are ready to serve," Muyomba said. "These young men and women have the zeal and determination to offer reliable services."
The Lira regional office is expected to serve the entire Lango sub-region and strengthen coordination between the judiciary, local governments, and the Attorney General's chambers in Northern Uganda.
