Supreme Court Engages Court Users, Reports Improved Performance and Advances Digital Justice
The Supreme Court has emphasized its commitment to improving judicial service delivery through stronger stakeholder engagement, digital transformation and enhanced case management during a Court Users’ Committee meeting held at the Court’s Conference Hall in Kampala.
The meeting, chaired by Lady Justice Prof Lillian Tibatemwa-Ekirikubinza on behalf of the Chief Justice, brought together judicial officers, advocates, justice sector institutions, academia and other court users to review the Court’s performance, discuss operational challenges and receive feedback aimed at improving the administration of justice.
The meeting was attended by several Justices of the Supreme Court, including Lady Justice Percy Night Tuhaise, Justice Mike Chibita, Lady Justice Elizabeth Musoke, Justice Stephen Musota, Justice Christopher Madrama Izama and Justice Muzamiru Mutangula Kibeedi.
Delivering the Chief Justice’s remarks, Justice Tibatemwa-Ekirikubinza said the meeting was convened to assess the Supreme Court’s operations, identify challenges affecting service delivery and agree on practical solutions with stakeholders. She noted that, as the country’s apex court, the Court’s decisions shape Uganda’s jurisprudence and have far-reaching socio-economic and political implications, making stakeholder feedback essential in guiding ongoing institutional reforms.
The Chief Justice reported that the Supreme Court is currently handling 1,135 matters, comprising 762 criminal cases, 336 civil appeals, references and applications, and 37 constitutional appeals and applications. He noted that during the fourth quarter of the Financial Year 2025/2026, the Court disposed of 253 matters, averaging 84 cases per month between April and June.
He attributed the Court’s performance to the continued cooperation of key justice actors, including advocates in both public and private practice, the Uganda Prisons Service and other institutional partners.
The Chief Justice also highlighted the Judiciary’s ongoing digital transformation, noting that from 1 June 2026, the Supreme Court and all courts where the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS) has been rolled out commenced fully digital operations. He explained that the transition to a paperless court is intended to eliminate physical bottlenecks, accelerate case processing and enhance transparency in judicial processes.
While acknowledging that the transition has presented implementation challenges, he reiterated the Court’s commitment to continuously improving the system and invited court users to report any difficulties encountered. He further highlighted that an ECCMIS user support kiosk has been established at the Supreme Court to assist self-represented and indigent litigants who may not have access to personal ICT equipment. He also encouraged advocates to invest in their own digital tools to reduce congestion at the facility.
The Chief Justice also urged advocates and litigants to embrace appellate mediation as an effective mechanism for resolving disputes before the Supreme Court.
During the interactive session, stakeholders raised several issues affecting the administration of justice, including delays in delivering judgments, irregular service of hearing notices, missing court records, inconsistencies in some Supreme Court decisions, the need for programmes to support the reintegration of rehabilitated offenders, and collaborative efforts to remove redundant matters from the court system. Participants also called for improved record management by the Uganda Prisons Service to facilitate timely access between advocates and inmates, greater adherence by lower courts to Supreme Court precedents, particularly in electoral matters, and increased public sensitisation on appellate mediation.
Present were HW Ayebare Tumwebaze, the Supreme Court Registrar who moderated the meeting, and HW Dr Alex Mushabe Karocho, alongside representatives from the the ICT Department, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, academia, the Law Development Centre and private legal practitioners.
Posted 30th, June 2026
