PJ, Governance and Security Programme Secretariat discuss Collaboration on Emerging Justice Sector Priorities
The Principal Judge, Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, this afternoon held discussions with officials from the Governance and Security Programme Secretariat aimed at strengthening collaboration with the Judiciary and identifying areas of mutual interest in advancing justice-sector priorities.
The delegation was led by Ms Rachel Odoi Musoke, Senior Technical Adviser to the Governance and Security Programme alongside her deputy Canon Sam Wairagala.
The forward-looking engagement examined current justice-sector priorities as well as emerging challenges arising from technological advancement, organised crime, oil and gas development, digital transformation and changing patterns of disputes and crime.
In her remarks, Justice Abodo appreciated the Programme for its interventions and longstanding support to the Judiciary, noting that the partnership has contributed to the delivery of efficient, effective and timely justice. She also congratulated the Secretariat upon its new building.
The Principal Judge underscored the importance of continued collaboration, support and teamwork among justice-sector institutions, particularly in areas such as capacity-building, infrastructure development, juvenile justice, digitisation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
She also highlighted the need to strengthen training and support following the empowerment of Local Council Courts, noting that the Judiciary remains committed to working with other justice-sector institutions to improve access to justice and service delivery.
Ms Odoi, on her part, emphasised the importance of strengthening the relationship between the Judiciary and the wider justice-sector programme and ensuring that interventions supporting the Judiciary are aligned with national priorities.
She called for a shift from isolated institutional interventions towards coordinated, sustainable and system-wide approaches to justice-sector development.
Ms Odoi also revealed that the Programme will hold a Justice Week in October to commemorate 25 years of impact in Uganda’s justice sector and provide a platform for engagement with the public on their experiences with the justice system.
The discussions placed particular emphasis on strengthening the justice response for children in conflict with the law and ensuring that they are treated in a manner consistent with their rights and welfare.
The meeting underscored the need to promote child-friendly justice, strengthen the appropriate handling of juvenile cases and improve coordination among institutions responsible for children in the justice system.
Participants also highlighted the importance of continuous capacity-building for officers handling juvenile matters and minimising unnecessary exposure of children to the formal criminal justice system where lawful alternatives are available.
On ADR, the meeting agreed on the need to further strengthen its use as an effective mechanism for resolving disputes without resorting to lengthy litigation.
The participants observed that greater use of mediation and other ADR mechanisms could contribute significantly to reducing court congestion, improving case disposal and enhancing access to timely justice.
Cybercrime and organised crime were identified among the emerging challenges requiring greater attention from justice-sector institutions.
The meeting highlighted the need to continuously strengthen legal frameworks, institutional capacity and expertise in handling digital evidence, investigations and prosecutions to enable the justice system to keep pace with rapidly evolving technologies and increasingly sophisticated forms of crime.
Digital transformation and e-justice were similarly discussed as critical components of modernising justice delivery.
Participants underscored the need for greater interoperability and integration of digital systems across justice institutions to improve information sharing, coordination and efficiency in service delivery.
The meeting also considered the justice-sector implications of Uganda’s growing oil and gas industry, with particular emphasis on strengthening infrastructure and specialised capacity in the Albertine Region.
It was observed that infrastructure planning in the region should take into account the requirements of the Judiciary, Police, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Prisons and other Programme institutions.
This would include identifying appropriate land and developing infrastructure capable of responding to the anticipated growth in population, investment and economic activity associated with the oil and gas sector.
The meeting further highlighted the need to build specialised capacity across the justice system to handle disputes and crimes likely to arise from increased oil and gas activity.
These could include land, commercial, labour and environmental disputes; contractual and investment disputes; as well as fraud, corruption, trafficking and organised crime.
The participants agreed that proactive planning and specialised training would enable justice institutions to respond effectively to these emerging demands and ensure that the justice system supports Uganda’s socio-economic development.
The engagement reiterated a shared commitment to strengthening Uganda’s justice system through greater coordination, innovation, forward planning and partnership.
Participants emphasised that justice-sector reforms should be approached as a whole-of-system undertaking rather than through isolated institutional interventions.
Priority areas identified for continued collaboration included criminal justice reform, juvenile justice, ADR, cybercrime and organised crime, digital transformation and e-justice, oil-and-gas-related justice needs, infrastructure development and capacity-building.
The meeting was attended by HW Edgar Nyakairu, Personal Assistant to the Principal Judge, and technical staff from the Governance and Security Programme Secretariat.
Posted 11th, August 2026
