The Acting Principal Judge, Lady Justice Okuo Jane Kajuga, has called on judicial officers to reflect on their pending caseloads and recommit to effective leadership in managing them.
She made the remarks on Saturday while closing a week-long regional training on Case Management and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) at Wash and Wills Hotel, Mbale. The programme brought together Judges, Registrars, and Magistrates from the High Court Circuits of Mbale, Tororo, Kumi, Soroti, and Moroto, in an inclusive setting that broke traditional hierarchical barriers, fostering learning across all grades of judicial officers.
Citing the Judiciary Case Census Report, Lady Justice Kajuga stressed the need for accurate data capture for effective planning and decision-making.
She highlighted the recurring problem of mediation disposals being wrongly recorded as consent judgments and announced the rollout of a mentorship programme for Eastern Uganda, with Justice David K. Wangutusi serving as mentor alongside Circuit Judges.
The initiative builds on similar programmes launched in the Northern and Western regions by the Chief Justice.
She emphasised that the success of the training would be measured by how participants applied their skills, particularly in disposing of cases through ADR on a daily basis.
Justice Farooq Lubega, Head of the Mbale High Court Circuit, thanked the Acting Principal Judge for officiating and pledged improved ADR and mediation performance in the region.
Judicial Training Institute (JTI) Executive Director, Justice Prof. Andrew Khaukha, commended faculty members, Deputy Chief Justice Richard Buteera, Principal Judge Emeritus Yorokamu Bamwine, and retired High Court Judge David K. Wangutusi for their contributions to judicial efficiency and case flow reforms.
The closing ceremony featured a presentation by Mr. Joseph Ssinabulya, Principal Information Maintenance Officer, on the effective use of the Court Case Administration System (CCAS) to enhance data management and reporting. The Deputy Chief Justice Emeritus urged officers to take full responsibility for accurate data entry.
Proceedings ended with the signing of a Recommitment Compact, in which judicial officers pledged to adopt effective case management practices. All participants received Instruments of Appointment as Court-Accredited Mediators and were directed to immediately identify suitable cases for mediation.
