JUDICIARY Latest Features

The Chief Registrar, HW Agnes Alum, yesterday held her maiden meeting with Registrars from across the country at the Supreme Court Building Conference Hall in Kampala.

The meeting brought together Registrars, Deputy Registrars, Assistant Registrars and members of Senior Management to review the performance of High Court Divisions, Circuits and Registries, discuss emerging operational challenges, update judicial officers on recent developments within the Judiciary, and chart a way forward for improved service delivery.

In her opening remarks, HW Agnes Alum warmly welcomed the Registrars and thanked God for the opportunity to serve as Chief Registrar.

"I am happy to see all of you this morning. This is the first meeting I am having with you as Chief Registrar, and it is exciting to see all your faces. We should make this meeting interactive so that we have time to engage, catch up with one another, learn new things and strengthen our working relationships," she said.

The Chief Registrar welcomed Heads of Department and their representatives, describing the gathering as a noble cause that continues to strengthen the administration of justice.

She noted that since the inception of the Registrars' meetings in 2021 under the leadership of former Chief Registrar, Lady Justice Sarah Langa Siu, the registries across the country have benefited greatly through mentorship, peer learning, networking and professional growth.

"These meetings have enabled us to learn from one another, share experiences and collectively find solutions to challenges. My prayer is that as I lead you, we shall walk together and grow together," she said.

HW Alum congratulated the newly appointed Deputy Registrars, namely HW Kosia Kasibayo, HW Andrew Kabombo, HW Ronald Kayizzi, HW Simon Toloko and HW Rachel Nakyazze, and welcomed them to the team.

She also congratulated the newly appointed Chief Justice, and the Deputy Chief Justice, assuring them of the Registrars' commitment and support in advancing the Judiciary's transformation agenda.

The Chief Registrar commended Registrars for their contribution to the Judiciary's transformation journey over the last six years and urged them to actively support the Chief Justice's 16-point programme, which seeks to advance the use of Information Communication Technology, implement paperless courts, improve case management, reduce case backlog, champion legal reforms, strengthen the Industrial Court, increase staff numbers and promote judicial wellbeing, among other priorities.

"It is our duty to operationalise this vision in our respective stations. Let us embrace the new leadership with diligence, teamwork and progressive thinking. With God's guidance, these objectives can be achieved," she said.

She further reminded Registrars about the importance of peer committees, which were revived by the Chief Inspector of Courts, emphasizing that the groups provide opportunities for mentorship, support, learning and professional growth.

The Chief Registrar also highlighted several new laws and policies introduced since the last Registrars' meeting. These include the Administration of the Judiciary Judicial Training Institute Regulations, 2025; the Constitution (Operation of Mobile Courts) Practice Directions, 2026; the Judicature (Court Annexed Mediation) Rules, 2026; the Magistrates Courts (Amendment) Act, 2026; the Judiciary Strategic Plan VI; and the Judiciary Client Charter and Service Delivery Standards.

She encouraged Registrars to study and internalize these instruments and ensure that their staff understand and implement them.

"Let these not be empty promises. Let them become practical commitments to the people we serve," she emphasized.

On performance management, HW Alum informed the Registrars that the Judiciary was progressively rolling out the Performance Enhancement Tool (PET), which would soon be used in their appraisal process.

She urged all judicial officers to embrace the system and ensure timely submission of appraisal reports as the financial year draws to a close.

The Chief Registrar also reminded officers to account for all funds released to them and stressed the importance of demonstrating value for money in order to justify future requests for increased funding.

Turning to service delivery concerns, she highlighted a number of recurring issues that require urgent attention.

Among them was inaccurate data submitted by some stations, which she said continues to attract concerns during quarterly performance review meetings.

She also raised concerns about delays in admitting documents on the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS), following feedback from the technical team.

"There are courts where documents remain pending admission for long periods. Please create time and ensure that documents are admitted promptly because users are increasingly raising concerns about delays on the system," she said.

Other issues highlighted included delays in preparing certified proceedings and judgments, delays in forwarding records of appeal, irregular issuance of ex parte interim orders, poor customer care, delayed payments to mediators and advocates on State Brief, and failure by some Registrars to adequately consult judges and justices on court operations and expenditure.

The Chief Registrar urged judicial officers to remain mindful of their obligation to serve the people of Uganda with integrity, professionalism and accountability.

"Why should a litigant incur transport costs to come to Kampala to raise an issue that can be resolved at the station level? Let us attend to court users promptly and professionally," she noted.

On the implementation of the Magistrates Courts (Amendment) Act, 2026, HW Alum said the enhancement of pecuniary jurisdiction for Magistrates would help reduce backlog and improve access to justice.

She, however, cautioned Registrars to ensure that files transferred from the High Court to Magistrates' Courts are complete and properly managed.

"We advocated strongly for this amendment and assured stakeholders that it would contribute to reducing backlog. Let us ensure that the transition is handled effectively and that justice remains accessible and efficient," she said.

The Chief Registrar further informed participants that a taskforce was finalising practice directions to guide the transfer of files under the amended law.

She also noted that preparations for handling election petitions were underway under the leadership of the Principal Judge and that further guidance would be communicated in due course.

During the interactive session, Registrars raised a number of operational challenges affecting service delivery. Concerns included inadequate staffing, particularly at stations where all available officers are engaged in court sessions and unable to attend to other court users; delays in transferring files from mother courts to newly established courts; challenges arising from the implementation of the amended pecuniary jurisdiction provisions; and cases of errant support staff.

In response, the Chief Registrar assured the Registrars that engagements would be held with the concerned mother courts to facilitate the transfer of pending files. She also undertook to follow up staffing concerns with the Human Resource Department upon receiving details of the affected stations.

Addressing concerns that some judges may experience reduced workloads following the transfer of certain civil cases to Magistrates' Courts, it was explained that judges would continue to handle appeals and other matters and could be deployed to stations with heavier workloads whenever necessary.

On errant staff, Registrars were advised to strengthen supervision, conduct regular performance evaluations and desist from relying on individuals who are not formally employed by the Judiciary.

The Registrar Planning, Research and Development, HW John Paul Edoku, urged all stations to submit their performance reports in time to facilitate preparation of the Annual Performance Report, which is expected to be launched in August, one month after the close of the financial year.

The meeting resolved to strengthen the implementation of the Judiciary's strategic priorities through enhanced accountability, improved court administration, and adherence to established policies and procedures.

Participants further committed to adopting best practices shared during the meeting and strengthening consultation and collaboration among colleagues and judicial officers to minimize errors and improve service delivery across the Judiciary.

In her closing remarks, HW Agnes Alum thanked the Registrars for their active participation and commitment throughout the engagement. She noted that the meeting had provided an important platform for learning, sharing experiences, and reconnecting with colleagues from across the country. She observed that the discussions, questions, and concerns raised would help inform future interventions and improvements within the Judiciary.

The Chief Registrar emphasized that meaningful change requires individual commitment and encouraged participants to translate the lessons and best practices acquired during the meeting into tangible improvements at their respective stations. Wishing them safe travels and success in their work, she expressed confidence that the knowledge shared during the meeting would contribute to better service delivery and a stronger administration of justice.

The meeting also provided an opportunity for Registrars to congratulate HW Agnes Alum upon her appointment as Chief Registrar. In a symbolic gesture of appreciation and support, the Registrars presented her with a bouquet of flowers and a congratulatory cake, which she cut amid applause.

The session was co-moderated by HW James Ereemye Jumire Mawanda, Registrar Communications and Public Relations, and HW Jessica Chemeri, Deputy Registrar of the Commercial Division.

The moderators thanked the Chief Registrar for her guidance and assured her that the Registrars would embrace and implement the wisdom and directives shared during the meeting as they continue to advance efficient and people-centred justice delivery across the country