About the Judiciary
The Judiciary is an arm of the Government under the doctrine of separation of powers. It is established under Article 126 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, 1995. The other two organs are the Legislature, which makes laws; and the Executive, which enforces laws and implements government programs.
Our Mandate
The Judiciary is Constitutionally supposed to: administer justice through resolving disputes between individual and individual (civil) and between the state and individual (criminal); interpret and defend the Constitution and the laws of Uganda; promote the rule of law; promote human rights of individuals and groups; initiate, develop and implement training programmes for the development of the Judiciary staff; contribute to the enforcement of law and order; enroll and license advocates; license and discipline Court Bailiffs; keep custody of laws enacted as well as disseminate legal literature; receive government revenue accruing from the courts; and introduce modalities for alternative dispute resolution (ADR) to reduce the burden of cases on the courts.
Vision and Mission
Our Vision is "Justice for All", and the Mission is "To Efficiently and Effectively Administer Justice".
Our Core Values
Independence, Impartiality, Transparency, Professionalism, Integrity, Accountability and Equality.
Our Structure
The Judiciary is headed by the Chief Justice, assisted by the Deputy Chief Justice, Principal Judge in the management of the court. Under its two-tier system, the Chief Registrar equally assists the Chief Justice to manage the judicial affairs of the Judiciary, whereas the Secretary to the Judiciary manages the Finance and Administration wing the of the institution. The Judicial wing of the Judiciary is composed of judicial officers (Justices, judges, registrars and magistrates), while the Finance and Administration consists of staff who offer administrative support services to the courts.
Our Courts (Courts of Judicature)
- The Supreme Court
- The Court of Appeal/Constitutional Court
- The High Court (Divisions and Circuits)
- Chief Magistrates Courts
- Magistrates Grade I Courts
- Magistrates Grade II Courts
Supreme Court
This is the highest court in the land and it is headed by the Chief Justice. It is also the final court of appeal in Uganda, and the only court that can hear a presidential election petition. The court is duly constituted to hear a case(civil or criminal appeal) when it composed of an uneven number not being less than five justices; and not less than seven for Presidential election petitions. For constitutional appeals, it requires a full bench of all members of the Supreme Court; and where any of them is unable to attend, the President appoints an acting justice. Currently, the Court has nine appointed justices, but it has an established structure of 11.
Court of Appeal/ Constitutional Court
Itis the second highest court in the land headed by the Deputy Chief Justice, and hears appeals from both the High Court and the Court Martial Appeal Court. It also sits as the Constitutional Court while dealing with the interpretation of the constitution. The court is duly constituted to hear an appeal when it is composed of an uneven number not being less than three justices; and not less than five when hearing Constitutional matters. The Court has an established structure of 35.
High Court
The High Court is headed by the Principal Judge. The Court has unlimited original jurisdiction throughout Uganda. The High Court also sits as an appellate court when hearing appeals from Magistrate's Courts. The Court is duly constituted by a single judge when hearing cases, although the judge is required to sit with lay assessors when trying an accused person in capital matters. It can however, sit as a panel of three judges when hearing international crimes.
The High Court is comprised of seven divisions sitting in Kampala, and 24 regional circuits. The Divisions include: Civil, Criminal, Commercial, Land, Family, Anti-Corruption and International Crimes. The Circuits are Lira, Gulu, Arua, Soroti, Mbale, Jinja, Masindi, Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale, Fort Portal, Mukono, Mubende, Mpigi, Rukungiri, Iganga, Tororo, Moroto, Luwero, Hoima, Kiboga, Kitgum, Bushenyi and Kasese.
Magistrates' Court
These Courts are found in several areas of Uganda designated as "Magisterial Areas". Magisterial Areas were recently increased from 81 to 157, and each is headed by a chief magistrate, supervising a number of Magistrates Grade I and II. A magisterial area covers one district.
The jurisdiction of the different grades of magistrates is determined by the law.
The choice of the court will depend on the area where the defendant stays, the location of the contested property or as directed by the relevant law. Choice is also determined by the amount claimed. For instance, matters not exceeding Shs 500,000 are handled by Magistrates Grade Two; Magistrate Grade One (not exceeding Shs 20 million);Chief Magistrates (not exceeding Shs 50 million); High Court Judge (above Shs 50million). However, in a few circumstances, parties may apply to the High Court for a transfer of a suit to a court convenient for all parties involved.
Who is who in the Judiciary?
The Court has many staff and they include the following:
- A Justice presides over cases in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal.
- A Judge presides over cases in the High Court.
- A Registrar is responsible for supervising Court registries, other Court staff, and also performs some judicial functions such as hearing cases for urgent orders("Interim orders"). Registrars are also responsible for handing complaints by members of the public about other judiciary staff.
- A Magistrate is the head of the Magistrates Court and is responsible for hearing cases inthese Courts and supervising clerks and other magistrates.
- Mediators Are neutral third parties who assist parties in a civil case to arrive at a settlement.
- Court Clerks register cases brought to Court and help the Judge or Magistrate in the Courtroom by reading the Court files. They also interpret for people who may not be able to speak English in Court.
- Process servers are in charge of delivering communications from Court to Lawyers and people who have cases in Court.
- Cashiers help to inform people about the fees they are supposed to pay, and also receive evidence of payment of Court fees for cases in Court.
- Secretaries and copy typists help to type the records for cases that are being heard in Court.
- Records assistants are responsible for and manage the archives/ records of court
- Assessors sit with judges in criminal capital cases and help the judge in making the final decision
- Police Officers (Court Orderlies) help to keep order in the Court room.
- Prison warders are responsible for accused persons/ suspects. They bring them to court for hearing of their cases.
- Office Supervisors they supervise the administrative staff in courts.
Other staff may include systems administrators, office supervisors, cleaners among others. Each of these officers has specific duties assigned by the Registrar or Magistrate.
Which offices will I find?
a. Reception- this is where clients are received and directed on the next office they should visit.
b. Registry- this is where the clients file their court documents and other related correspondences for the matters the Division is handling.
c. Chamber- this is the office where a Judge/Registrar/Magistrate sits.
d. Court hall- this is where trials and other court hearings are conducted.
e. Archives- this is where the files for completed cases are kept. Any retrievals of such files are done by the person in Charge of Archives.
f. Security office- this is found at the gate of the Court to provide security for the court users and staff.
What should I pay for and how much should I pay?
The fees charged by the court depend in two things;
- The amount you are claiming
- The type of claim you are bringing
Do not pay to geta trial date.
When asked to pay, insist to see the payment schedule for court fees or a receipt for any kind of money you are requested to pay, to be sure that you are talking to the right person and paying the right fees.
Where should you go when you arrive at court?
- When you arrive at the court, the first person you will meet is the court receptionist
- The receptionist will direct you where you should go from there.
