The Principal Judge, Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo ,has held a consultative meeting at the Judiciary headquarters to review the implementation of Statutory Instrument No. 94 of 2023, which operationalised the clustering of High Court Circuits across the country.
Opening the meeting, Lady Justice Abodo thanked participants for availing themselves for the important exercise and commended Lady Justice Sarah Langa Siu for providing the institutional memory behind the development and implementation of the Statutory Instrument during her tenure as Chief Registrar.
The Principal Judge explained that the meeting had brought together officers who were directly involved in developing the Instrument so that the review could benefit from their technical expertise and institutional knowledge. She emphasised that the exercise should be objective, evidence-based and guided by geographical realities and administrative practicability.
Lady Justice Abodo said the review had been prompted by concerns raised during her visits to various High Court circuits, where judicial officers and justice sector stakeholders reported that the current clustering had, in some instances, created geographical challenges that hinder rather than enhance access to justice.
She noted that the purpose of the Instrument was to improve access to justice and strengthen the efficient administration of the High Court. However, she observed that, like any policy or administrative framework, it must be reviewed where implementation highlights practical challenges.
The Principal Judge cited concerns raised in Rakai, where stakeholders questioned the placement of Lyantonde and neighbouring districts within the Rakai High Court Circuit despite their close proximity to Masaka.
She also referred to similar proposals from the Lango and Karamoja sub-regions, where leaders have recommended that certain districts be reassigned to geographically closer circuits to reduce travel distances, improve accessibility and address security concerns.
Lady Justice Abodo informed participants that the Chief Justice had directed to revisit the existing High Court circuit arrangements and assess whether they are effectively serving their intended purpose. She added that the review would also consider proposed High Court circuits that are yet to be operationalised.
Discussions focused on factors such as access, distance and travel time for court users, infrastructure, existing and projected caseloads, population served, availability of judicial officers, historical, geographical and legal considerations to ensure the efficient administration of justice.
In attendance were Lady Justice Sarah Langa Siu (virtually), the Chief Registrar HW Agnes Alum; the Registrar, High Court, HW Prossy Katushabe; Registrar, Planning and Development, HW John Paul Edoku; Deputy Registrar and Private Legal Secretary to the Chief Registrar, HW Patricia Amoko.
Others included; Personal Assistant to the Principal Judge HW Edgar Nyakairu; and Ms Ruth Ashaba, Senior Communications Officer.
