The Deputy Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija, has officially commissioned the Rukungiri High Court Circuit, in the Eastern Division of Rukungiri Municipality.
Rukungiri is among six new High Court circuits that were operationalized on 18th September 2022, alongside Luwero, Moroto, Tororo, Iganga, and Hoima. The court building was constructed by the Government of Uganda at a cost of UGX 1.62 billion, with Hebron Investment Company Ltd as the main contractor.
In his remarks on Friday, Justice Dr. Zeija emphasized that the new court will significantly reduce the case backlog and alleviate the burden on residents of Rukungiri and Kanungu districts, who previously had to travel long distances to access legal services in Kabale.
He reiterated the Judiciary’s commitment to its transformation agenda, which includes bringing justice closer to the people. Justice Zeija urged the Resident Judge to promote efficient justice delivery by implementing best practices such as timely hearing schedules, quality customer care, proper records management, and maintaining secure exhibit storage. He also stressed a zero-tolerance stance on corruption.
CUE IN JUSTICE ZEIJA ……..ON THE CALL ……..ENG//
Hon. Justice Susan Kanyange, the Resident Judge of the Rukungiri High Court, confirmed that the court is now fully operational. The staffing includes a resident judge, an assistant registrar, a Grade One magistrate, a research assistant, and nine support staff. She expressed gratitude to the Government of Uganda for funding the construction and thanked the Rukungiri District and Municipality for providing the land on which the court stands.
Assistant Registrar Atigo Hellen reported that since its establishment, the court has registered 640 criminal cases, 930 civil cases, 180 family cases, and 185 land matters. The current caseload includes 268 criminal cases, 270 civil cases, 58 family cases, and 93 land disputes. She noted that 120 civil cases and 208 criminal cases were transferred from Kabale High Court, most of which have already been concluded.
CUE IN ATIGO ……ON CASES ……ENG//
The Principal Judge, Hon. Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga, reaffirmed the Judiciary’s goal of enhancing physical access to justice by decentralizing services. She encouraged court officers to maintain high standards of professionalism, serve with fairness and compassion, and remain accountable to the public.
Local leaders, including Rukungiri Municipality MP Dr. Elisa Rutahirwa, LC5 Chairperson Geoffrey Kyomukama, Municipality Mayor Charles Makuru, and Deputy RDC Wilberforce Ahimbisibwe Ongom, welcomed the new development. They noted that it would significantly ease the burden on residents who previously had to travel to Kabale for judicial services.
