Africa-Press – Uganda. Judges from Uganda’s top courts this week stepped out of their courtrooms and into Nakawa Market, in a rare community legal outreach aimed at demystifying the justice system and bringing legal services closer to ordinary citizens.
The outreach, organised by FIDA-Uganda in partnership with the International Association of Women Judges Africa Region, with support from the United Nations Development Programme and the International Development Law Organization, attracted market vendors, traders and community members for a day of direct engagement with judges, lawyers and legal aid providers.
Judicial officers from the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and High Court spent the day interacting with the public, responding to legal questions and offering guidance on court processes, access to justice and common disputes affecting market communities.
Speaking during the outreach, the Executive Director of FIDA-Uganda, Liliane Byarugaba, said the organisation deliberately takes legal education and services to markets because of the nature of vendors’ work.
“We know that men and women working in markets are always busy moving up and down. When they are not present, their businesses do not move. That is why, together with our partners, we come directly to the markets and also use community radios to discuss these issues,” she said.
Byarugaba noted that the Nakawa Market outreach was unique because it brought judges face to face with the grassroots.
“The difference between today’s training and others we have organised is that today we partnered with the International Association of Women Judges. They decided to come to the grassroots to understand what is happening in the markets and to give people an opportunity to meet judges, ask questions about the law and the courts, and raise issues they have always wanted to ask,” she added.
The FIDA-Uganda boss also called for increased male participation in such engagements, saying issues such as parenting, land and family disputes affect both men and women.
“We appreciate the work you do, but male engagement is still lacking. We hope that next year and in the years to come, more men will be involved because these issues do not choose whether you are a man or a woman,” she said.
In her remarks, Justice Elizabeth Jane Alividza, High Court Judge and President of the International Association of Women Judges Uganda described the outreach as timely, noting that women judges are acutely aware of the challenges affecting women.
“As women judges, we are aware of issues affecting women and we are committed to addressing them,” she said, highlighting predatory money lending and unfair interest rates as some of the challenges burdening women in market communities.
“For some of you, getting a loan is easy, but paying it back remains a challenge, often leaving you repaying far more than you originally borrowed. So, we are here to guide you on how to handle such challenges,” she said.
The outreach was also graced Lady Justice Pamela Bomukama, High Court Judges Ayebare Daphine and Patience Tukundane, among others, whose presence underscored the commitment to inclusive access to justice.
An IDLO representative said the organisation prioritises working with grassroots communities because of the everyday challenges they face in business, family and social life.
“That is why we partner with FIDA and the judges to carry out these outreaches in markets and other communities,” she said, noting that IDLO has worked with FIDA-Uganda in Nakawa, Kisubi and Wakiso, as well as in other districts including Nebbi, Lira and Iganga.
The Nakawa Market outreach was held as part of activities marking the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, with discussions also focusing on sexual and reproductive health rights, family planning and gender equality.
Organisers said the initiative was intended to break down barriers between the justice system and the public, ensuring that legal guidance and support reach even the most underserved communities.
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