JUDICIARY Latest Features

The Chief Justice, Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija, has proposed a Judiciary-led framework for the administration of adjudicative tribunals, arguing that placing tribunals under the Judiciary would improve coordination, strengthen adjudication, promote institutional efficiency, and enhance access to justice while allowing them to retain their policy relationships with their respective parent ministries.

Justice Zeija made the remarks during a courtesy meeting with members of the Leadership Code Tribunal, led by its Chairperson, Dr. Roselyn Karugonjo-Ssegawa, at the Supreme Court Building in Kampala.

The delegation included the Deputy Chairperson, Dr. Anthony Conrad Kaweesi Kakooza, Tribunal members Ms. Jane Okelowange, Mr. Didas Bakunzi Mufasha and Ms. Annette Karungi, as well as the Tribunal’s Legal Advisor, Ms. Martha Kamakune Nduru. Also present was the Chief Justice’s Personal Assistant, HW Julius Mwesigye.

The meeting focused on strengthening collaboration between the Judiciary and the Leadership Code Tribunal, enhancing institutional capacity, advancing digital transformation, and exploring reforms to improve the administration of adjudicative tribunals in Uganda.

Justice Zeija commended the Tribunal for its important contribution to the fight against corruption, acknowledging the complexity of corruption-related litigation and the critical role the Tribunal plays in promoting accountability and integrity in public service.

He observed that Uganda had not progressed as quickly as expected in strengthening aspects of its anti-corruption legal framework, particularly regarding the confiscation of property acquired through corruption.

The Chief Justice noted that although the Anti-Corruption Act, as amended in 2015, mandates the Chief Justice to make rules governing the confiscation of property, the regulations had not yet been finalised.

He informed members that a draft of the rules had already been prepared and was before the Law Reform Committee before proceeding to the Rules Committee, which he chairs. He expressed confidence that the rules would be completed before the end of the year.

According to the Chief Justice, the regulations will significantly strengthen adjudication before both the Leadership Code Tribunal and the Anti-Corruption Court by providing a clear legal framework for confiscation proceedings. 

“That will be a big step in the right direction,” he remarked.

Turning to institutional development, Justice Zeija briefed members on the Judiciary’s plans to establish a state-of-the-art Judicial Training Institute (JTI) in Nakasongola.

He explained that the facility would include residential accommodation, recreational facilities and modern training infrastructure designed to serve the Judiciary and other justice sector institutions.

Drawing lessons from Mozambique, the Chief Justice noted that a single judicial training institution can effectively support multiple justice sector agencies, reducing duplication while maximising the utilisation of public resources. He encouraged the Leadership Code Tribunal to utilise the institute for capacity building once it becomes operational.

Justice Zeija also invited Tribunal members to participate in the Judiciary’s regular training programmes on rules of procedure, case management and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).

He commended the Tribunal for embracing ADR, describing it as an effective mechanism for expediting dispute resolution. He cited the Commercial Court’s recent successful mediation of 97 banking disputes within a short period as evidence of ADR’s growing impact.

On digital transformation, the Chief Justice urged the Tribunal to automate its operations to meet the evolving expectations of court users.

He observed that litigants increasingly expect to file cases electronically, participate in virtual hearings and access judicial services remotely. He further called for greater integration of information systems across government institutions, noting that fragmented digital platforms create duplication, increase operational costs and limit the efficient sharing of information.

He explained that interconnected systems would facilitate seamless data exchange, improve efficiency and minimise reliance on physical records.

Justice Zeija reiterated his long-held view that adjudicative tribunals should be administratively managed under the Judiciary while retaining policy oversight from their respective ministries.

Drawing on Kenya’s experience, he explained that integrating tribunals into the Judiciary had enabled the Chief Justice to provide common administrative services, electronic filing platforms, training and other institutional support.

He observed that Uganda’s tribunals currently operate under different ministries, resulting in fragmented administration, duplication of services and varying operational standards.“Tribunals are supposed to be under the Judiciary. They can remain serving the mother ministry, but in terms of operations, you adjudicate,” he said.

The Chief Justice commended the Leadership Code Tribunal for maintaining zero case backlog and acknowledged that corruption-related cases are inherently complex and often difficult to adjudicate.

Reflecting on previous efforts to strengthen accountability, including proposals for lifestyle audits and experiences from Tanzania in tracing ownership of suspicious assets, he underscored the importance of robust accountability mechanisms in combating corruption. He encouraged the Tribunal to remain steadfast in executing its constitutional mandate.

Responding on behalf of the delegation, the Chairperson of the Leadership Code Tribunal, Dr. Roselyn Karugonjo-Ssegawa, thanked the Chief Justice for receiving the members and reaffirmed the Tribunal’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with the Judiciary.

She welcomed the opportunity to partner with the Judicial Training Institute in building the Tribunal’s institutional capacity and professional competence.

Dr. Karugonjo-Ssegawa also welcomed the Chief Justice’s proposal to strengthen the relationship between adjudicative tribunals and the Judiciary, observing that it complements ongoing national discussions on establishing a comprehensive framework for the administration of tribunals.

She noted that lessons from Kenya, together with the Chief Justice’s proposals, would provide valuable guidance as Government considers reforms aimed at improving the coordination, administration and effectiveness of adjudicative tribunals in Uganda.

She congratulated Justice Zeija on his appointment as Chief Justice, commending his emphasis on integrity, efficiency and timely delivery of justice, values she said closely align with the mandate and aspirations of the Leadership Code Tribunal.

Established under Articles 234 and 235A of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda and the Leadership Code Act, Cap. 33, the Leadership Code Tribunal is mandated to hear and determine cases involving breaches of the Leadership Code of Conduct referred by the Inspectorate of Government, as well as appeals and related applications arising from decisions of the Inspectorate, including applications concerning access to declarations of income, assets and liabilities by public leaders.