Administration Of Justice Actors Call for Greater Accountability and Efficiency at Bar-Bench Meeting
Judicial officers, advocates, and justice sector stakeholders have called for greater accountability, improved efficiency, and stronger collaboration in the administration of justice during a Bar-Bench meeting chaired by the Principal Judge, Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, at the Supreme Court Conference Hall in Kampala.
The engagement brought together representatives from the Judiciary, the Attorney General’s Chambers, the Law Council, and other institutions in the administration of justice to discuss challenges affecting justice delivery and explore practical solutions to improve service delivery.
Opening the meeting, Justice Abodo apologized for the delay in convening the quarterly forum and thanked stakeholders for attending despite competing engagements, including the official visit of the Chief Justice of Zambia, Justice Dr. Mumba Malila.
She congratulated the Chief Registrar, HW Agnes Alum, upon her appointment and emphasized the importance of the Bar-Bench Forum as a platform for dialogue and collaboration among actors in the justice system. “The administration of justice is a shared responsibility. While our roles may differ, we all have one common objective, to ensure that justice is delivered fairly, effectively, and in a manner that inspires public confidence in the institutions we serve,” Justice Abodo said.
The Principal Judge underscored the importance of the relationship between the Bench and the Bar, noting that effective communication and cooperation are critical to ensuring timely and quality justice.
She highlighted progress made since the previous meeting held in September 2025, including the continued rollout of the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS), expansion of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms, and ongoing initiatives aimed at reducing case backlog.
Justice Abodo commended the ECCMIS technical team led by Lady Justice Immaculate Busingye for advancing the Judiciary’s digital transformation agenda and cited the recently concluded Commercial Court Settlement Fortnight as an example of how ADR continues to improve case disposal.
Despite the progress, she acknowledged persistent challenges, including delays in delivering judgments and rulings, congestion at some court stations, delays in processing proceedings, and concerns regarding professionalism and accountability.
She revealed that she had held one-on-one meetings with several judges to address pending judgments and reported encouraging progress.
“It is pointless to continue hearing many cases if judgments are not being delivered. We have seen positive progress, and I am confident that the situation will continue improving,” she said.
Justice Abodo further disclosed that the Industrial Court had temporarily suspended hearings for two months to enable judicial officers clear a substantial backlog of pending judgments.
Calling for a results-oriented approach, she urged stakeholders to focus on practical solutions and ensure that resolutions reached during Bar-Bench meetings are implemented.
“The effectiveness of this forum should not be measured by the number of issues discussed, but by the extent to which agreed actions are implemented and lead to improved service delivery,” she emphasized.
She also cautioned judicial officers and advocates against using social media platforms to resolve disagreements, urging them to utilize established institutional channels to safeguard public confidence in the justice system.
The Principal Judge further called for stronger mentorship programmes for young advocates, noting that many practitioners entering the profession require guidance to uphold ethical and professional standards.
In her remarks, the Chief Registrar, HW Agnes Alum, described the forum as an important avenue for dialogue, collaboration, and mutual understanding between the Judiciary and justice sector stakeholders.
She noted that concerns raised during previous Bar-Bench meetings had informed several ongoing reforms within the Judiciary.
Among the interventions highlighted were the launch of the Court Case Census Report to facilitate evidence-based deployment of judicial resources, the issuance of Court-Annexed Mediation Rules by the Chief Justice, the expansion of ECCMIS to more than 49 courts, and extensive training of judicial officers and advocates on the electronic system.
“I urge everyone to participate actively and speak candidly. This is a safe space for constructive criticism and innovative ideas aimed at improving access to justice,” the Chief Registrar said.
Representing the Attorney General’s Chambers, Mr. John Bosco Rujagaata Suuza commended the Judiciary for the progress made in digitizing court processes through ECCMIS, describing the transition from manual systems to electronic filing and case management as a major milestone.
However, he raised concerns about delays in obtaining Records of Appeal, challenges linking the Attorney General’s Chambers to government-related matters on ECCMIS, delays in electronically signing and releasing court orders, and difficulties in obtaining certified copies of proceedings and judgments.
During the interactive session, participants raised concerns regarding the conduct of some advocates and court bailiffs during execution proceedings, allegations of corruption within certain justice sector institutions, and delays in disciplinary proceedings against advocates.
Stakeholders also emphasized the need for stronger coordination among the Judiciary, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the Uganda Prisons Service during plea bargain sessions to enhance efficiency and improve outcomes.
Representatives of the Law Council acknowledged challenges arising from a growing disciplinary caseload but noted that efforts were underway to improve disposal rates by handling both old and newly filed complaints concurrently
Participants further discussed the Judiciary’s transition to a paperless justice system. While welcoming the initiative, they highlighted challenges such as unreliable internet connectivity, intermittent power outages, and the continued reliance on physical documentation in some court processes.
The meeting also stressed the need for clear action matrices to accompany resolutions arising from Bar-Bench engagements, with designated responsible officers, implementation timelines, and measurable outcomes to facilitate accountability.
Posted 17th, June 2026
