By Obed Kankiriho
Deputy Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija, has reaffirmed the Judiciary’s commitment to ensuring timely and accessible justice as he officially opened a three-day Court of Appeal Criminal Session at the Kabale High Court on Monday.
The session, running from November 4th to 6th, 2025, will hear 30 criminal appeals, presided over by Justices Frederick Martin Stephen Egonda-Ntende, Oscar John Kihika, and Jesse Byaruhanga Rugyema.
According to the cause list issued by Registrar HW Rukundo Allen Owembabazi, the appeals include 12 cases of murder, 10 of aggravated defilement, four of aggravated robbery, two of kidnap with intent to murder, and one each of rape and manslaughter, in addition to a State appeal challenging an acquittal in an aggravated defilement case.
Justice Zeija described the Kabale sitting—the third Court of Appeal criminal session in the region—as a key milestone in promoting access to justice. He noted that regional sittings ease the financial burden on litigants who would otherwise have to travel to Kampala for hearings.
While acknowledging the persistent case backlog, Justice Zeija attributed it to the Court’s heavy caseload and previously limited staffing. However, he expressed optimism following the appointment of additional Justices, which increased the Court’s strength from 13 to 20, with plans to reach the statutory 35 to support the creation of regional appellate circuits.
He further noted that the Judiciary is leveraging ICT systems to address operational challenges such as misplaced records, adding that a dedicated task force is already tracking missing case files.
He also encouraged wider use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms, including mediation and plea bargaining, to complement formal adjudication.
Kabale Resident Judge, Justice Karoli Lwanga Ssemogerere, welcomed the appellate panel and commended the circuit’s ongoing efforts to reduce backlog through inter-agency cooperation among the Attorney General’s Office, ODPP, Police, Prisons Service, and local government.
He further highlighted innovations such as virtual testimony, the Kabale Remand Home’s role in juvenile justice, and the court’s ongoing digitization initiatives, including an online portal for cause lists and judgments, as well as collaboration with the Ministry of Lands on land case management.
Sam Oola, representing the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), lauded the Judiciary’s regional sessions as “a vital innovation” in addressing case delays but called for more prosecutors and timely communication of upcoming sessions.
From the Attorney General’s Chambers, Betty Karungi Gasabusa revealed plans to open five new regional offices, including in Kabale and Masaka, to boost government legal representation.
Meanwhile, Rebecca Ayesiga of the Uganda Law Society praised the Judiciary’s consistency in holding regional sessions, saying they “restore public confidence and give litigants renewed hope.”
