The Deputy Chief Justice (DCJ),Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija, earlier today officially opened a five-day induction training for Justices of the Court of Appeal, officiating on behalf of the Chief Justice, Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny - Dollo, at Imperial Golf Course Hotel, Entebbe.
In his remarks, the DCJ welcomed participants and extended appreciation to the Chairperson of the JTI Governing Council, Justice Mike Chibita, and the Executive Director, Judicial Training Institute (JTI), Justice Prof. Andrew Khaukha, for organizing the programme. He emphasized that the induction aims to enhance competence, efficiency, and teamwork among appellate justices, enabling the Court to execute its mandate more effectively and deliver timely justice.
Justice Dr. Zeija underscored the importance of the training as an opportunity to enrich judicial practice, foster collegiality, and strengthen teamwork within the appellate courts. He revealed that as of yesterday, the Court of Appeal/Constitutional Court had 13,474pending cases in the Electronic Court Case Management Information System(ECCMIS), and posed the question of how the Court would deliver timely and effective justice in the face of such a heavy workload. He called for a mindset change in leadership, wider adoption of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR),and stronger use of technology and case management tools to improve efficiency.
The DCJ also commended the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) for partnering with the Judiciary on the first day of the induction to conduct a session on tax adjudication. He described taxation as an evolving and complex area, making such training both timely and necessary, and emphasized the Judiciary's responsibility to handle tax disputes expeditiously.
The Chairperson of the JTI Governing Council, Justice Mike Chibita, observed that ideally, the induction should have taken place at the beginning of the Justices' tenure. While noting this gap, he emphasized that the programme still marked a significant milestone in strengthening the appellate system. He reminded participants of the pivotal role of the Court of Appeal as the constitutional link between the High Court and the Supreme Court. Justice Chibita further explained that the training had been carefully designed in consultation with the Justices to meet the unique needs of their Court, with distinguished presenters drawn from Namibia, Malawi, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. He reaffirmed JTI's commitment to continuous judicial learning as a cornerstone of judicial excellence.
The Executive Director of JTI, Hon. Justice Prof. Andrew Khaukha, welcomed participants and expressed gratitude to development partners, including the International Development Law Organization(IDLO), for their support. He appreciated Justice Richard Buteera, DCJ Emeritus, for his continued service to JTI's ADR faculty and thanked the Court of Appeal leadership for their commitment to the training. Justice Khaukha reiterated the DCJ’s call to end ad hoc trainings and pledged that JTI would soon publish a comprehensive judicial training calendar.
The IDLO Country Manager, Ms. Barbara Kilei, hailed the programme as "constitutional in spirit," describing it as a renewal of the Judiciary’s pledge to ensure people-centred justice rooted in dignity, fairness, and accountability. She cited Articles 126(1) and(2) of the Constitution, which remind that judicial power is derived from the people and must be exercised without delay or discrimination. She noted the heavy responsibilities borne by Uganda's appellate courts, including adjudicating presidential election petitions, and stressed the importance of reasoned and transparent decisions to maintain legitimacy and public trust.
In her remarks, Ms. Kilei outlined priority areas for strengthening the work of appellate courts, including the development of concise bench books and practice notes on recurring legal issues, institutionalization of ECCMIS-first workflows with clear timelines, expansion of court-annexed ADR in appellate-referred matters, and sustaining jurisprudence attentive to vulnerable groups such as children, survivors of gender-based violence, persons with disabilities, and refugees.
The URA Commissioner General, Mr. John Musinguzi Rujoki, hailed the Judiciary as a strategic partner in strengthening tax justice. He highlighted its role in building public trust, promoting voluntary compliance, and supporting national development. He noted Uganda's tax-to-GDP ratio currently stands at 13.9 percent, with a target of 20percent by 2030, and emphasized that timely adjudication of tax disputes would contribute significantly toward achieving this goal.
The URA Commissioner General further commended the Judiciary's embrace of digital systems such as ECCMIS and virtual hearings, observing that judicial technology was essential in ensuring efficiency and predictability in tax dispute resolution.
The programme was graced by Bishop Joshua Lwere, who led the gathering in prayer, seeking divine wisdom, unity, and purpose for the Justices as they begin their new responsibilities.
The five-day training, moderated by Ag. Registrar JTI, HW Lillian Bucyana, includes sessions on Uganda's tax system, emerging trends in tax law and policy, the oil and gas sector, customs processes, insolvency and tax disputes, and the distinction between tax avoidance and tax evasion.
It is designed to support the smooth transition of newly appointed Justices into their appellate roles, enhance collegiality, and strengthen the Court of Appeal's overall capacity to deliver timely and high-quality justice.
Posted 20th, October 2025
