Da Dona
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- Dec 16, 2025
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Uganda’s Chief Justice, Flavian Zeija, has called for increased funding to the Judiciary, warning that persistent budget constraints are worsening case backlog, prison congestion, and delays in access to justice across the country.
Photo by Daily Monitor UG
Speaking during the public Court Day engagements in Nabweru , Kampala, Justice Zeija said the Judiciary currently lacks sufficient resources to recruit enough judges, expand court operations, and effectively handle the growing number of cases before courts nationwide.
According to the Chief Justice, Uganda’s Judiciary should have about 150 judges, but only around 90 are currently serving because of limited funding. He noted that many qualified lawyers are available for appointment, but recruitment cannot happen without an increased budget.
Justice Zeija further revealed that the Judiciary’s budget has remained largely stagnant over the past three years, despite a sharp rise in registered cases. He argued that delayed justice negatively affects investment, business confidence, and economic productivity, especially in commercial and land disputes worth trillions of shillings.
Data from the National Court Case Census 2025 shows that courts are currently handling:
5,790 commercial cases worth about Shs5.9 trillion
44,911 civil cases valued at approximately Shs5.4 trillion
33,496 land cases worth over Shs1.7 trillion
12,624 family-related cases amounting to about Shs1.4 trillion.
To address the crisis, Justice Zeija said the Judiciary plans to expand High Court circuits, decentralize the Court of Appeal to regional centers, strengthen Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), and increase the use of technology such as virtual hearings and electronic case management systems.
Since assuming office in January 2026 following the retirement of former Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, Justice Zeija has repeatedly emphasized judicial reforms, digital transformation, accountability, and faster service delivery as key priorities of his leadership.
Source: Nile post
Speaking during the public Court Day engagements in Nabweru , Kampala, Justice Zeija said the Judiciary currently lacks sufficient resources to recruit enough judges, expand court operations, and effectively handle the growing number of cases before courts nationwide.
According to the Chief Justice, Uganda’s Judiciary should have about 150 judges, but only around 90 are currently serving because of limited funding. He noted that many qualified lawyers are available for appointment, but recruitment cannot happen without an increased budget.
Justice Zeija further revealed that the Judiciary’s budget has remained largely stagnant over the past three years, despite a sharp rise in registered cases. He argued that delayed justice negatively affects investment, business confidence, and economic productivity, especially in commercial and land disputes worth trillions of shillings.
Data from the National Court Case Census 2025 shows that courts are currently handling:
5,790 commercial cases worth about Shs5.9 trillion
44,911 civil cases valued at approximately Shs5.4 trillion
33,496 land cases worth over Shs1.7 trillion
12,624 family-related cases amounting to about Shs1.4 trillion.
To address the crisis, Justice Zeija said the Judiciary plans to expand High Court circuits, decentralize the Court of Appeal to regional centers, strengthen Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), and increase the use of technology such as virtual hearings and electronic case management systems.
Since assuming office in January 2026 following the retirement of former Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, Justice Zeija has repeatedly emphasized judicial reforms, digital transformation, accountability, and faster service delivery as key priorities of his leadership.
Source: Nile post
