KAMPALA—The Deputy Chief Justice Alphonse Owiny-Dollo has temporarily assumed the office of the Chief Justice pending the appointment of a substantive holder of the third arm of government.

The former Chief Justice, Bart Magunda Katureebe handed over the office peacefully on Monday morning after five years at the helm of the judiciary upon clocking the mandatory retirement age.

“I wish to take this opportunity to thank you all collectively and individually for the
cooperation and support you have rendered to me, and the Judiciary as an institution during my tenure in office. It has indeed been a great honour and privilege to work with you all,” Katureebe said in a short letter of appreciation to stakeholders

“I believe that together we have registered some achievements in the Administration of Justice in the Country. I would urge all to extend the same support to the in-coming Chief Justice,” said Justice Katureebe.

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DOWNLOAD : Statement from the Judiciary on the Justice Katurebe's Retirement

Published: June 20, 2020

Outgoing Chief Justice Bart Katureebe got the perfect send-off when President Yoweri Museveni assented to the Administration of Judiciary Bill, 2018 to make law.

Parliament early this month passed the bill that guarantees the independence of the Judiciary as the third arm of the State under the doctrine of separation of powers and on Friday, June 19, 2020, Museveni appended signature to it to ensure it becomes law.

About the Law

The new law provides for and strengthens the independence of the Judiciary.

The Administration of Judiciary law operationalizes provisions of the Constitution relating to the Judiciary, administration of justice, improve efficiency and effectiveness of the courts, strengthen the independence of courts, and streamline their administration.

The law also creates guidelines and references for a legal and justice system by spelling out jurisdiction divisions, conditions for trials, sentencing, and court fees.

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DOWNLOAD: Administration of Judiciary Act of 2020

Published: June 19, 2020

KAMPALA - Normal operations in the Courts in Uganda shall have to wait until the general opening of public transport, the Chief Justice, Bart M. Katureebe, has said. The directive was contained in the Revised Contingency Measures to Prevent and Mitigate the Spread of COVID-19 in the Judiciary Circular issued on May 27. “Partial Court operations are hereby reinstated while observing the Presidential Directives and Ministry of Health (MOH) Guidelines and Standard Operations Procedures (SOPs) as indicated hereunder,” said the Chief Justice.

“Courts shall continue to hear only applications and urgent matters until there is a general opening up of public transport. Upon the easing of the general public transport, courts shall resume normal hearings in civil matters.

“Criminal cases shall be restricted to: plea taking for Magistrates Courts, bail applications and plea bargains across the board, and appeals for the appellate courts. These restrictions shall remain in force until prisoners are able to be produced in Courts,” reads the CJ Circular in part.

The head of the Judiciary further stated that the use of audio-visual facilities shall continue alongside other modes of conducting hearings – determined by the head/in-charge of a specific Court/Station.

He also urged all Judicial Officers to continue writing and delivering judgments and rulings during this time.

DOWNLOAD PRESS RELEASE (pdf)

Published: May 28, 2020

#Public Notice

In line with the directives issued by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda on the 18th March, 2020, on the prevention and mitigation of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) in Uganda, the Chief Justice hereby issues the following circular as guidelines for the operations of all courts in Uganda.

These guidelines may be revised from time to time in accordance with the National Policy directives.

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Published: March 20, 2020

KAMPALA - The High Court grounds in Kampala literally lit up as Judicial Officers, members of the legal fraternity and representatives of the central government gathered for the launching of the New Law Year on Friday (January 31, 2020).

It is at the New Law Year that the Judiciary accounts to the public for the authority and resources entrusted by the people in the Judiciary.

The Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Bart M Katureebe, presented the State of the Judiciary address where he revealed that the Judiciary had disposed of 181,137 cases. "...the Judiciary made tremendous strides that are worth hailing. Inspite of the limited human resource and other resources, the Judiciary has managed to dispose of a total number of 181,137 cases," he said.

He said the Judiciary has put in place systems, services and innovations intended to improve justice delivery, give quick returns and act more transparently. He went on to enumerate the successes of Plea Bargaining, Mediation and Small Claims Procedure.

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Published: January 31, 2020

PRESS RELEASE

29 November 2019

KAMPALA - The Judiciary today held a historic ground-breaking ceremony for the long-awaited construction of the Supreme Court and Court of the Appeal buildings.

Construction of the seven-storey twin appellate courts buildings with two basement floor parking for 226 vehicles, will be executed by Seyani Brothers within 24 months at a cost of 63.9 billion to be paid for by the Government of Uganda. They will be customized courthouses with modern courtrooms, chambers for the justices, a gym and restaurant, among other amenities.

While presiding over the ground-breaking ceremony at the Judiciary headquarters in Kampala, the Chief Justice, Bart M. Katureebe, described the occasion as memorable. He said the project was part of a larger project which aims at ensuring that the Judiciary is transformed.

“The project of building the Appellate courts started in 1999 and has moved through many stages including the use of Public-Private Partnership. I am therefore glad to inform you that the activities that we have witnessed today constitute part of the measures that the Judiciary is undertaking to meet the service level expectations from our Customers by providing physical access to justice,” he said.

“This project entails the construction of the Court of Appeal building which will have 20 chambers for Justices, five Board rooms, four Court halls, three Registries and three chambers for the Registrars,” said the Chief Justice, adding:

“It will also have the Supreme Court building which will house: 12 Chambers for Justices, three Court halls, three Chambers for Registrars and three Registries amongst others.”

Judiciary’s Permanent Secretary, Pius Bigirimana, likened the ceremony to a miracle adding that it is the time to rebuild the image of the Judiciary and gain its rightful position as a critical Arm of Government.

With the buildings in place, Mr. Bigirimana said the Judiciary will save at least Shs6 billion it pays annually in rent for the appellate courts.

This was echoed by Chief Justice who added that open days are being held all over the country, the courts now have an operational call center and salaries for Judicial Officers have been enhanced. He said focus is now going to be put on performance using the Performance Enhancement Tool.

The Chief Justice said the ground-breaking ceremony is a clear indication of accountability through transparency in procurement and project management.

This, he said, is in line with the Millennium Development Goals, the Country’s Vision 2040 and the Strategic Investment plan of the Judiciary and JLOS, all geared towards the Social and Economic Transformation of the country.

The ceremony was witnessed by the Deputy Chief Justice, Alfonse Owiny-Dollo; Principal Judge, Dr Yorokamu Bamwine; Justices of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. Others were the Chief Registrar, Esta Nambayo; Commissioner Engineering & Technical Services, Dr Christopher Ebal, and other members of Judiciary Senior Management.

Media Contact

Solomon Muyita, Senior Communications Officer, Judiciary

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The Justice, Law and Order Sector (JLOS) held the 24th Annual Sector review on 12th November 2019 where the Sector Performance Report for the FY 2018 - 2019 was presented to stakeholders that gathered at the Mestil Hotel in Kampala. 

DOWNLOAD JLOS ANNUAL REPORT FY 2018 - 2019 (pdf)

DOWNLOAD KEY REPORT HIGHLIGHTS (pdf)

Published: November 13, 2019 (Updated: November 23, 2019)

KAMPALA - The Chief Justice of the Republic of Uganda and Chairperson of the JLOS Leadership Committee delivered a keynote address to participants at the 24th Government of Uganda and Development Partners Sector Review on 12th November 2019. The JLOS Annual Review was held at the Mestil Hotel in Kampala.

DOWNLOAD KEYNOTE (PDF)

Published: November 13, 2019

Uganda joined the rest of the world on December 12 2018 to celebrate the International Human Rights Day presided over the by the Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Bart Katureebe. The event was preceded by a march around Kampala city that drew participation from JLOS institutions, development partners, human rights defenders, the media and members of parliament.

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Published: December 12, 2018

The Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Bart M. Katureebe has called for increased access to justice for vulnerable communities – specifically refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs). In a paper titled “Forced Displacement: Legal protection and development” presented at a World Bank forum in Washington, DC, Justice Katureebe said that issues of refugees should be viewed as a global challenge that merit holistic resource allocation to tackle among other needs aspects of access to justice.

The Chief Justice was speaking during a closed-door meeting at the World Bank headquarters on the sidelines of the Law, Justice and Development Week in Washington DC on November 6 2018. Other notable participants in this meeting included Uganda’s ambassador to the United States, Amb. Mull Katende; the Hon. Chief Justice of the Republic of Kenya, Justice David Maraga and Hon. Justice Samir Adam Annour, the First President of the Chad Supreme Court.

On November 8 2018, Justice Katureebe met with Ms. Ann Kabagambe, the Executive Director World Bank African Group. During this meeting, the Chief Justice and Ms. Kabagambe discussed matters affecting the administration of justice in Uganda and the Judiciary’s E-Justice strategy. 

By Edgar Kuhimbisa | Published: November 9, 2018