JUDICIARY Latest Features

The Chief Justice, Justice Dr Flavian Zeija, yesterday evening hosted a delegation from the Judiciary of Kenya to dinner at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel, reaffirming the longstanding relationship between the two Judiciaries and their commitment to continued institutional learning and experience-sharing.

The delegation, led by the Principal Judge of Kenya, Hon. Justice Eric Ogola, is in Uganda for a week-long high-level bilateral judicial visit under the theme: “Strengthening Judicial Cooperation, Institutional Learning and Effective Case Management.”

Other members of the delegation are Justice Dr Nabil Orina, Judge of the High Court; Hon. Clara Otieno-Omondi, Registrar of the High Court; and Hon. Faith Muguongo, Acting Registrar in the Office of the Chief Justice of Kenya.

In his remarks, the Chief Justice thanked the Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court of Kenya, Justice Martha Koome, for fostering cordial relations between the two Judiciaries and supporting Uganda’s judicial training programmes. He noted that the Kenyan Judiciary had previously sent judicial officers to Uganda to facilitate training on election petitions and Alternative Justice Systems.

“It does not make sense for us to go to England for benchmarking when we have jurisdictions within our region from which we can learn and whose experiences are more closely related to our own. The reality is here, and that is why I believe in the region,” the Chief Justice said.

Reflecting on his benchmarking visit to Kenya, Justice Dr Zeija highlighted the Kenyan Court of Appeal’s extensive use of technology. He noted that the Court conducts its operations online, enabling Justices based in different locations to sit together virtually and allowing proceedings to continue without requiring them to be physically present in chambers.

The Chief Justice also spoke about efforts to bring the Industrial Court of Uganda under the Judiciary. He explained that the Court is currently administered under the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and operates under a model established in 1964. Following his benchmarking visit to Kenya, he constituted a drafting team to prepare legislation that would facilitate the Court’s transfer to the Judiciary, where its operations could be better supported.

On technology and transnational crime, Justice Dr Zeija observed that technological advancement often outpaces legislation. He underscored the need for legal frameworks to evolve alongside technological developments and commended Kenya for its ability to respond swiftly through legislative reforms.

He thanked the delegation for visiting Uganda and acknowledged Kenya’s significant contribution to Uganda’s ongoing judicial reforms, describing the country as a key partner in the Judiciary’s transformation journey.

Justice Ogola thanked the Chief Justice for the warm hospitality and described the dinner as a gesture of friendship between the two institutions. He noted that the visit had provided another valuable opportunity for the neighbouring Judiciaries to engage and learn from each other.

He observed that Uganda and Kenya share more similarities than differences, citing their history, culture, languages, legal traditions and challenges in the administration of justice.

Justice Ogola explained that the delegation had come to learn from Uganda’s experience, particularly in the adjudication and management of complex crimes. He commended the Ugandan Judiciary for openly sharing both its achievements and the challenges encountered in implementing reforms.

He further noted that the two Judiciaries have a longstanding tradition of engagement through exchange visits and the sharing of experiences across different areas of judicial work. Although their institutional arrangements and legal frameworks differ, he said, such exchanges allow each Judiciary to identify useful practices and adapt them to its circumstances.

Justice Ogola emphasised that both Judiciaries are committed to building justice systems that are accessible, efficient, responsive and capable of earning and sustaining public confidence.

“When the people we lead in these institutions lose confidence, then we have nowhere to run to,” he said.

He added that these shared aspirations are reflected in Uganda’s Sixth Judiciary Strategic Plan and Kenya’s Social Transformation through Access to Justice (STAJ) Blueprint, both of which place people at the centre of justice delivery.

Reflecting on the 9th Benedicto Kiwanuka Memorial Lecture, Justice Ogola described the commemoration as a remarkable part of the delegation’s visit. He said it had enabled the delegation to learn more about the life, service and sacrifice of the late Chief Justice Benedicto Kiwanuka.

He thanked the Chief Justice for inviting the delegation to participate in the commemoration and reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to continued engagement, institutional exchange and practical collaboration with the Ugandan Judiciary.

Justice Dr Asa Mugenyi of the Court of Appeal, who represented the Deputy Chief Justice, Justice Moses Kazibwe Kawumi, conveyed the Deputy Chief Justice’s greetings and thanked the Chief Justice for hosting the delegation. He warmly welcomed the visitors to Uganda, invited them to return and expressed hope that Ugandan judicial officers would continue to receive opportunities to visit Kenya and experience its hospitality.

Justice David Matovu, Head of the High Court Criminal Division, delivered remarks on behalf of the Principal Judge, Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo. She thanked the Chief Justice for hosting the dinner and recalled the warm reception accorded to a Ugandan delegation that she led to Nairobi in November 2025 for an international conference on refugees.

The Principal Judge appreciated the opportunity to reciprocate Kenya’s hospitality and commended the fruitful engagements held between the visiting delegation and the Ugandan Judiciary since the beginning of the week.

She underscored the importance of benchmarking within the region, noting that neighbouring jurisdictions often face similar experiences and challenges. She particularly highlighted Kenya’s use of technology in court operations, especially at the appellate level. The Principal Judge called for further benchmarking to explore how comparable approaches could improve case management and accelerate the delivery of justice in Uganda.

The dinner was attended by Justices of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, Judges of the High Court, Registrars, Magistrates and senior Judiciary administrators led by the Under Secretary, Ms Maureen Kasande.

The event was moderated by the Judiciary Public Relations Officer, HW James Ereemye Jumire Mawanda.