Acting Chief Registrar Inspects Eastern Uganda Courts, Pledges Action on Service Delivery Challenges

The Acting Chief Registrar, Lamunu Pamella Ocaya, has conducted a week-long familiarisation and inspection tour of courts in Eastern Uganda, visiting the High Court Circuits of Kumi, Iganga, and Jinja.

The tour was aimed at enabling administrators to gain firsthand insight into the day-to-day experiences of court users and the practical challenges faced by Judicial and Non-Judicial staff in the delivery of justice.

During the engagements, Judges, Registrars, and Magistrates across the various stations raised key concerns affecting service delivery. Among the cross-cutting challenges identified were limited office space and inadequate infrastructure, intermittent internet connectivity, frequent power outages without alternative backup, and staffing gaps within the Judiciary.

Officials also cited a shortage of personnel from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, which has affected the timely disposal of criminal cases. Other challenges included operational difficulties in using the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS), lack of official vehicles, and outdated information and communication technology equipment.

In her observations, Ocaya noted that while many Judicial Officers were compliant with the Administration of the Judiciary (Service) Regulations, certain areas required improvement. She pointed to instances of delayed commencement of court sessions, absence of scheduled cases on Mondays and Fridays at some stations, failure to formally declare obsolete items, and inadequate attention to maintaining a conducive court environment.

Despite the challenges, she commended the majority of courts for their resilience and continued service delivery under difficult conditions. Bukedea Court was particularly praised for eliminating case backlog and proactively installing the Court Case Administration System (CCAS). Kumi High Court and Kumi Chief Magistrate’s Court were also recognised for maintaining an exceptional court ambience, with administrative staff noted for their professionalism, smart appearance, and proper identification through official name tags.

Ocaya reassured both Judicial and Non-Judicial staff that most of the concerns raised are already known to top management and will be addressed progressively, subject to the availability of resources.

The inspection tour was conducted alongside her Private Legal Secretary, Patricia Amoko.