Africa-Press – Uganda. The Principal Judge, Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, on Wednesday inspected Nakasongola Chief Magistrate’s Court, Kiryandongo Chief Magistrate’s Court, and Kigumba Magistrate’s Court, where she called for stronger case management, wider adoption of judicial innovations, and practical solutions to operational challenges affecting service delivery.
At Nakasongola Chief Magistrate’s Court, Justice Abodo commended Chief Magistrate Hope Bagyenda for maintaining a clean court environment, organised archives, and a well-managed exhibit room.
She encouraged the court to hold regular monthly staff meetings and to sustain judicial innovations such as plea bargaining, mediation, and the Small Claims Procedure.
She also stressed the importance of identifying staff training gaps to strengthen service delivery.
Addressing staff concerns on recruitment, Justice Abodo said she would engage the Judicial Service Commission on the possibility of exploring internal recruitment mechanisms or direct submissions, similar to arrangements in the Public Service.
She noted that progress on the matter could be realised through continued dialogue.
On salary enhancement, Justice Abodo observed that support staff, who play a vital role in the administration of justice, should also be considered.
She, however, emphasised that such interventions must go hand in hand with greater accountability, zero tolerance to corruption, consistent attendance, good customer care, and sustained implementation of judicial innovations.
Chief Magistrate Hope Bagyenda reported that the court currently has a caseload of 280 cases with zero backlog.
Hillary Tanazio Murangira, Magistrate Grade I, called for the operationalisation of gazetted courts to take services closer to the people, as well as the establishment of more High Court circuits to reduce the number of committals.
Among the key challenges raised at the court were lack of air conditioning, an inadequately stocked library, insufficient furniture, lack of staff accommodation, insecurity, water shortages, poor network connectivity, absence of State Brief and legal aid services, lack of staff uniforms, and staff shortages.
At Kiryandongo Chief Magistrate’s Court, Justice Abodo urged judicial officers to take the lead in plea bargaining and to identify mediators who can be trained and accredited to support Alternative Dispute Resolution.
She also encouraged the promotion of diversion in juvenile matters to reduce injustices that may arise from the formal justice process.
Justice Abodo further pledged support for scaled-down training on the Performance Enhancement Tool and Information and Communication Technology to benefit support staff who are expected to be appraised under these systems.
On staff welfare, she noted that peer committees are an important wellness initiative that promotes collegiality within the Judiciary.
Justice Abodo also directed the court to develop a concrete plan for clearing critical backlog cases through innovations such as mobile courts and ADR.
Chief Magistrate Abiti Samson reported that the court has a caseload of 613 cases, including a backlog of 136, handled by eight staff members.
He cited several challenges, including lack of a fence around judicial staff quarters, limited office space, absence of a secretary, lack of staff uniforms, need for ICT and PET training, and lack of air conditioning.
At Kigumba Grade I Court, Justice Abodo commended the cleanliness of the court, as well as its well-maintained exhibit room and archives.
She encouraged Magistrate Grade I Rachael Bogere to follow up on land allocations so that both judicial and non-judicial staff can access accommodation. She also urged the court to continue promoting ADR and plea bargaining.
Bogere Rachael informed Justice Abodo that the court has a caseload of 124 cases with zero backlog and is supported by two office attendants.
“Support staff, who play a vital role in the administration of justice, should also be considered, but with greater accountability, zero tolerance to corruption, consistent attendance, good customer care, and sustained implementation of judicial innovations,” Justice Abodo said.
