JUDICIARY Latest Features

The Principal Judge, Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, today held a performance engagement with Judges and Registrars of the Criminal Division of the High Court. She commended the Division for its resilience and improved performance while calling for sustained teamwork, innovation and efficient case management to further enhance service delivery.

The meeting, held at the Division, provided an opportunity for one-on-one interactions between the Principal Judge and judicial officers on individual and institutional performance. They also discussed challenges affecting case disposal, and strategies for improving the administration of criminal justice.

In her remarks, Lady Justice Abodo applauded the judicial officers for maintaining high standards of performance despite operational challenges. She particularly commended judges handling complex public interest matters for their dedication, professionalism and commitment to the administration of justice.

She also praised the Division’s commitment to proper data management, noting that accurate and consistent data is critical for monitoring performance, planning and informed decision-making. The Principal Judge assured the judicial officers of her continued support and encouraged them to maintain the strong spirit of teamwork that has contributed to the Division’s achievements.

Presenting the Division’s performance assessment for the Financial Year 2025/26, the Head of Division, Justice David Matovu, reported that they had handled a total caseload of 3,976 cases, comprising 2,620 cases brought forward and 1,356 newly registered cases.

Of these, 1,766 cases were concluded, translating into a 44.42 percent disposal rate and an impressive 130.24 percent clearance rate, meaning the Division disposed of more cases than it received during the financial year. At the close of the reporting period, 2,210 cases remained pending, including 581 backlog cases.

Justice Matovu attributed the Division’s strong performance to deliberate case management initiatives but noted that annual targets were affected by several operational constraints, including illness among some judicial officers, an inadequate number of State Attorneys, and the time required to hear lengthy and complex public interest cases.

He also commended the Division’s Data Management Taskforce, established by the Principal Judge and chaired by Justice Isah Sserunkuma. The nine-member team has played a key role in cleaning, verifying and digitising pre-ECCMIS case files, strengthening the accuracy of performance data, improving case tracking and supporting evidence-based decision-making.

The meeting also highlighted several operational challenges affecting the Division’s efficiency. These included a shortage of Police Process Servers and transport to serve the Division’s eight judges, frequent ECCMIS system interruptions, unstable internet connectivity, occasional power outages, and incomplete digitisation of case records, with some indictments and other critical documents yet to be uploaded onto the system.

Participants further noted delays in transmitting committal files from lower courts, the absence of ECCMIS in some courts under the Division such as Kasangati Chief Magistrate’s Court, delays by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in processing committal files, inadequate staffing, data quality challenges from lower courts, and gaps in training and compliance.

To address these challenges and sustain improved performance, the Division has intensified the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution through Plea Bargaining and institutionalising quarterly plea bargaining sessions for every judge. It is also strengthening end-to-end digital case management through ECCMIS, enhancing collaboration with criminal justice sector institutions, conducting regular case screening and weeding exercises, enforcing the First-In-First-Out (FIFO) principle, expanding Daily Hearings, and undertaking continuous in-house case census exercises.

Additional proposals discussed included organising special backlog clearance sessions, strengthening witness and case attendance management, reviewing commitment warrants and custody status reports to minimise prolonged detention, and enhancing continuous capacity building for judicial officers and staff.

The meeting further recommended continuous ECCMIS and digital records management training to improve digital literacy, system utilisation and data quality. Participants also proposed the development and institutionalisation of Standard Operating Procedures for Plea Bargain Camps and sentencing guidelines, as well as expanding the administrative role of Research Magistrates by empowering them to undertake procedural functions such as signing production warrants, issuing witness summons and processing bail extension applications within their jurisdiction.

Other recommendations included increasing the number of Police Process Servers and transport facilities, ensuring timely uploading of committal documents and supporting records onto ECCMIS, and strengthening regular data quality reviews across the criminal justice chain.

The engagement was attended by the Deputy Head of Division, Justice Emmanuel Baguma, Justice Gadenya Paul Wolimbwa, Justice Alex Ajiji, Justice Isah Serunkuma, Lady Justice Rosette Comfort Kania, and Justice Andrew Khaukha. Also in attendance, HW Samuel Twakyire, Deputy Registrar, HW Esther Nakadama, Assistant Registrar, HW Edgar Nyakairu, Personal Assistant to the Principal Judge, and Research Magistrates attached to the Division.