The Judiciary launched a pilot project to determine whether criminal cases can be heard daily. The project launched on Thursday by the Acting Principal Judge, Jane Okuo Kajuga, is being piloted at five High Court circuits. It is part efforts by the Judiciary to reduce case backlog and improve access to justice.
Lady Justice, Jane Okuo Kajuga, said it said it is part of the effort to ensure faster disposal of cases, better use of judicial resources, and enhanced efficiency within the justice system.
Initially piloted by the Criminal Division of the High Court, it will be piloted in Wakiso, Luwero, Entebbe, Mukono, and Mbarara. Participating judges will handle both criminal and civil matters at the same time, with a target to dispose of at least twenty cases per month. Previously, judges would hear about forty to fifty cases per quarter (three months), depending on the funds available.
It will shift from the current practice, where judges hear about forty to fifty cases in a quarter, depending on available funding.
Justice Kajuga added that the pilot will also focus on cases that have gender-related elements beyond rape and defilement, including domestic violence, family-related homicides, and economic crimes affecting the ease of doing business. “We are expanding the scope to ensure that every case with a gender component or economic impact is considered under this initiative,” she said.
The pilot involves five judges and is coordinated by resident judges in the selected circuits. Supported by the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), the project aims for cost-effectiveness by utilizing judicial staff already based in these locations. Lady Justice Kajuga explained that it could end the need for additional allowances and travel facilitation required during special sessions, thus saving a significant amount of money while maintaining access to justice.
She reassured the public that while the pilot focuses on criminal cases, other judges within the participating courts will continue to handle civil and miscellaneous matters to avoid disruptions in judicial operations. The Judiciary plans to assess the outcomes of the pilot and replicate successful practices in other circuits nationwide once the model proves sustainable.
John Baptist Asiimwe, the Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, welcomed the initiative, saying it is a crucial step to reducing pre-trial detentions and ensuring timely justice. However, he cautioned that the success of the project depends on the readiness and coordination of all criminal justice stakeholders.
Asiimwe says that while daily hearing projects have been piloted before, a thorough evaluation of their performance is needed before large-scale implementation. He raised concerns about staffing shortages in the Office of the DPP, saying that in some circuits the number of judicial officers far exceeds the number of prosecutors, leading to delays in file handling and case preparation.
He also highlighted challenges related to witness preparation, summoning, and facilitation, describing them as major cost drivers that could affect the effectiveness of daily hearings.
“Facilitating witnesses remains one of the biggest logistical challenges we face, especially in upcountry courts where witnesses travel long distances and often cannot afford accommodation or transport,” he said.
Asiimwe further urged the Judiciary to ensure that other key institutions, like police, prisons, and defense lawyers, are involved in the coordination process. He called for candid dialogue among all justice sector actors to address these practical challenges before full rollout.
“The theory may sound smooth, but the realities on the ground are quite different. We need to work together to ensure this project truly delivers the justice that Ugandans deserve,” he said.
Judges decried the excessive workload in their courts in thousands. Justice Allan Nshimye from Mbarara said the circuit has over four thousand five hundred cases. He said over 970 cases are criminal in nature.
He urged judges to embrace Information and Communication Technology in the hearing of the cases.
Former Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Sarah Langa Siu, now Resident Judge of Wakiso High Court circuit, said most of the cases in Wakiso are related to land, sexual and gender based violence, and family-related matters. She said there is a need to strike a balance for the interests of the victims and the accused persons to avoid rushing the hearing of cases and to avoid the majority of the cases being dismissed.
The Judiciary and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions agreed to continue consultations as the pilot starts in November, with a joint assessment planned after the initial phase to evaluate progress, challenges, and opportunities for scaling up the initiative nationwide.
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