Historic Court of Appeal Session Opens in Soroti, Takes Appellate Justice Closer to Teso
The Court of Appeal has taken appellate justice closer to the people of Teso with the opening of its first-ever session in Soroti, where a panel of three Justices is hearing 35 civil appeals over three days.
The historic session, which commenced today, at Soroti High Court, eliminates the need for litigants whose cases are listed to make the long and costly journey to Kampala to access Court of Appeal services.
The session, which runs until Thursday, 3 September, is being presided over by Justice John Oscar Kihika, alongside Lady Justice Florence Nakachwa and Lady Justice Esta Nambayo.
Flagging off the session during a stakeholders’ meeting, Justice Kihika, who delivered remarks on behalf of the Deputy Chief Justice, Justice Moses Kazibwe Kawumi, said the inaugural sitting demonstrates the Judiciary’s commitment to decentralising appellate services and ensuring that distance does not hinder access to justice.
“Our presence here therefore carries a simple but profound message: geography should not be a barrier to justice, and we shall continue undertaking initiatives that bridge this gap,” Justice Kihika said.
He noted that appeals from the region had previously been handled from Mbale and, in some cases, Kampala, imposing financial and logistical burdens on litigants.
Justice Kihika said the Judiciary is addressing these barriers through decentralisation of court services, improved case management, technology and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
He particularly urged litigants and justice-sector stakeholders to embrace ADR, noting that the Court of Appeal already has mechanisms through which parties can resolve disputes without pursuing lengthy litigation.
“Our objective is not simply to have courts physically present in the region, but to ensure the proper, efficient and effective delivery and administration of justice as a public good,” he said.
The Resident Judge of Soroti High Court, Justice Boniface Wamala, welcomed the session, describing it as a significant step towards taking justice to the grassroots.
“This session is a very big step towards bringing justice to the grassroots, justice closer to the people,” Justice Wamala said.
He noted that some litigants had previously been forced to sell property to finance repeated journeys to Kampala for appeal proceedings, underscoring the financial burden associated with accessing appellate justice from the capital.
The Emorimor, Paul Sande Emolot, welcomed the decentralisation of appellate justice and urged greater use of ADR, noting that cultural institutions already employ alternative mechanisms to resolve disputes, particularly land matters.
Soroti Deputy Mayor Ms Hellen Amongin highlighted land disputes, domestic violence, defilement and prolonged remand among justice concerns affecting communities, while Mr Eddie Nangulu, representing the Uganda Law Society, called for faster disposal of appeals.
The meeting brought together Judicial Officers and representatives from the ODPP, Uganda Police Force, Uganda Prisons Service, Attorney General’s Chambers, the Bar, Local Government and cultural institutions.
Also present were Lady Justice Mary Ikit, Resident Judge of Kumi; HW Emmy G. Sayekwo, Deputy Registrar, Soroti, and other Judicial Officers. The meeting was moderated by HW Janeva Natukunda, Deputy Registrar, Court of Appeal.
The Soroti session is part of the Court of Appeal’s broader efforts to decentralise appellate services, reduce the cost and distance involved in accessing justice and improve timely access to justice across the country.
Posted 1st, September 2026
