The Principal Judge, Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, has called for stronger measures to address barriers preventing communities in Karamoja from accessing court services, reaffirming that justice should not be determined by a person’s financial ability.
Speaking during Moroto High Court’s Open Day at the court grounds on Tuesday, Lady Justice Abodo said everyone deserved to be heard and treated fairly, regardless of their financial circumstances or ability to secure legal representation.
She emphasised that justice must not only be done but must also be understood, accessible and trusted by the communities it serves.
The Principal Judge commended the Moroto Resident Judge, Justice Tom Chemutai, judicial officers and court staff for organising the engagement, noting that the administration of justice was a shared responsibility between the Judiciary and the communities.
She said Court Open Days provide an opportunity to explain court processes, address public concerns and receive feedback aimed at improving service delivery and strengthening public confidence in the justice system.
Addressing the theme, “Delivering Inclusive, Efficient and Effective Justice,” Lady Justice Abodo said access to courts and fair treatment should be guaranteed to everyone, irrespective of gender, age, disability, economic circumstances, geographical location or social standing.
She noted that courts play a critical role in maintaining peace and social order through the resolution of land, family, commercial and criminal disputes, adding that every case represents a human story that requires integrity, impartiality and fairness.
However, she identified case backlog, inadequate resources and prison congestion as some of the major challenges affecting the administration of justice, particularly in hard-to-reach areas such as Karamoja.
Lady Justice Abodo said the Chief Justice had established a taskforce on prison congestion, which she chairs, to examine delays within the criminal justice system and the legality of continued detention.
The taskforce brings together key institutions, including the police, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), courts and Uganda Prisons Service, to identify practical solutions to the problem.
She said the taskforce would also explore appropriate alternatives to detention, as well as opportunities for reconciliation and settlement in cases where such interventions are suitable.
On reducing case backlog, Lady Justice Abodo said efforts were underway to strengthen criminal case management and increase criminal sessions at Moroto High Court.
She explained that continuous hearings and closer coordination with the ODPP would help ensure cases are handled promptly and prevent further accumulation.
On public awareness, she called for simpler court processes and the translation of relevant legal information into local languages, noting that people cannot exercise their rights or demand services they do not know are available.
She also underscored the importance of mobile courts in bringing justice closer to communities affected by poverty, long distances and insecurity.
Citing court proceedings organised in Katanga with support from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces and police, she said the Judiciary should be understood through the services it delivers rather than the physical buildings in which courts operate.
She added that judicial officers and interpreters could travel to communities to hear cases and assist vulnerable people who might otherwise be unable to access court premises.
The Principal Judge further called for stronger collaboration among justice institutions, civil society organisations, development partners, political leaders and the public to improve access to justice.
She reaffirmed the Judiciary’s commitment to improving case management, embracing technology, promoting mediation and plea bargaining, and strengthening coordination among institutions within the justice system.
In his remarks, Moroto Resident Judge, Justice Tom Chemutai, said the Open Day was organised to bring judicial services closer to communities, explain court operations and provide court users with an opportunity to assess the quality and accessibility of services.
He outlined the circuit’s geographical, socio-economic and operational challenges, including widespread poverty, recurrent drought, limited livelihood opportunities, long distances to court facilities and intermittent insecurity.
