Vice President Opens 27th Annual Judges' Conference, Calls for Wellness, Efficiency, And Stronger Justice Delivery
(L-R): The Vice President of Uganda, H.E Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo, the Chief Justice, Justice Dr Flavian Zeija
The Vice President of Uganda, H.E Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo, presided over the official opening of the 27th Annual Judges' Conference, urging the Judiciary to strengthen efficiency, integrity, and wellness as pillars for delivering timely justice and supporting national development.
Representing President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the Vice President officiated the ceremony at Speke Resort Munyonyo, where Judges gathered for the three-day engagement focused on improving case management and service delivery.
Delivering a written message on behalf of the President, H.E Alupo described the Judiciary as central to Uganda's stability, democracy, and socio-economic transformation. She emphasized that judicial wellness is not merely a personal matter but a governance priority directly tied to reducing case backlog and restoring public confidence in the justice system.
"Justice delayed undermines investment, weakens public trust, and affects social order," she said, calling for greater discipline, accountability, adoption of technology, and stronger leadership within the courts.
She further highlighted the importance of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and Alternative Justice Systems (AJS), noting that resolving disputes quickly, especially land, commercial, and criminal matters, directly contributes to wealth creation and national productivity. Government, she added, remains committed to supporting judicial reforms through infrastructure development, staffing, and training.
The Vice President also commended the outgoing Chief Justice for championing ADR reforms and congratulated the new Chief Justice on assuming office at acritical moment for the institution.
In his speech, the Chief Justice, Justice Dr Flavian Zeija, welcomed delegates and visiting Justices from the Judiciary of Kenya, describing the Conference as an opportunity for reflection and renewal.
He noted that the meeting is the first under his leadership following the retirement of Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny - Dollo, whose tenure he credited with laying a strong foundation for a modern, people-centred Judiciary.
Anchoring his remarks on the theme Judicial Wellness: A Tool for Effective Case Management, Justice Zeija stressed that justice is delivered by people, and the quality of justice depends on their physical and mental wellbeing.
"Our officers face heavy workloads, burnout, isolation, and even threats to personal safety," he said. "If we are to deliver fair and timely justice, we must take care of those who administer it."
He called for normalized conversations around mental health, strengthened peer support systems, and institutional wellness programmes, while highlighting existing initiatives such as medical services, gym facilities, and aerobics sessions.
The Chief Justice also outlined priorities under Judiciary Strategic Plan VI, including digital transformation, expansion of ADR, reduction of case backlog, improved infrastructure, and enhanced staff welfare. He urged judicial officers to uphold integrity, discipline, and ethical conduct, cautioning against practices that could bring the institution into disrepute.
Supreme Court's Justice Mike Chibita, who is also the Chairperson of the Governing Council of the Judicial Training Institute, revealed that the Judiciary still faces more than 190,000 pending cases. He noted that while technology and procedural reforms have helped, sustainable progress requires a healthy and supported workforce.
He said the Conference had been designed as a practical intervention, exploring tools such as artificial intelligence, ADR, leadership training, and sentencing consistency to ease pressure on courts and improve productivity.
The Executive Director of JTI, Justice Prof. Andrew Khaukha, assured participants that the Institute stands ready to support the Chief Justice's reform agenda through training, mentorship, and partnerships aimed at strengthening efficiency, accountability, and access to justice.
The Acting Chief Registrar, HW Pamella Lamunu Ocaya, who is the Programme Manager, described the Annual Judges' Conference as a cornerstone for judicial reflection and peer learning, offering officers time away from daily pressures to reassess priorities and recommit to service.
The Conference, organized by the Judicial Training Institute in partnership with the International Development Law Organization and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, has brought together serving and retired Justices, Judges and Registrars.
Deliberations over the three days are expected to generate practical recommendations aimed at improving turnaround time, reducing backlog, and strengthening public confidence in the administration of justice, reinforcing the Judiciary's role as a key driver of Uganda's development agenda.
Posted 2nd, February 2026
