Justice sector stakeholders in the Bushenyi High Court Circuit have reaffirmed their commitment to reducing case backlog and improving access to justice across the region.
The commitment was made during a Regional Coordination Committee (RCC) meeting held at Bushenyi High Court on Thursday and chaired by Resident Judge Justice Amos Kwizera.
The meeting brought together representatives from key justice institutions and local government leaders to review progress, identify challenges and discuss strategies for improving service delivery within the justice sector.
Justice Kwizera congratulated recently elected political leaders and described the RCC as an important platform for strengthening collaboration among justice actors.
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He highlighted recent legal reforms that have expanded the pecuniary jurisdiction of Magistrates' Courts, saying the changes are expected to ease pressure on the High Court and speed up the resolution of civil disputes.
"Under the new law, civil matters valued below Shs200 million will now be handled by subordinate courts," Justice Kwizera said.
He added that eligible cases currently pending before the High Court would be transferred to the appropriate lower courts to improve efficiency in case management and reduce delays in the administration of justice.
The Resident Judge also reported progress in handling criminal matters, revealing that the High Court had recently concluded a criminal session during which 50 cases were heard and disposed of.
According to Justice Kwizera, another criminal session is scheduled to commence later this month as part of ongoing efforts to tackle case backlog within the circuit.
Representatives from the Uganda Prisons Service commended the High Court for conducting regular criminal sessions, noting that the initiative has significantly reduced both case backlog and prison congestion by enabling faster determination of cases.
The meeting further urged the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), working together with the Uganda Police Force, to refer more suitable cases to Local Council Courts to facilitate quicker and less costly dispute resolution.
Participants emphasized the importance of strengthening Local Council Courts to improve access to justice at the grassroots level and reduce pressure on the formal court system.
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The resolutions reached at the meeting are expected to enhance coordination among justice institutions and support ongoing efforts to ensure timely and effective delivery of justice within the Bushenyi High Court Circuit.
