Court of Appeal Opens Mbale Criminal Session to Tackle Backlog, Expand Access to Justice

Mable- The Court of Appeal has begun a two-day criminal session in Mbale, with 30 appeals scheduled for hearing in a move aimed at improving access to justice and reducing case backlog in eastern Uganda.

The session was flagged off by Justice Geoffrey Kiryabwire, a Justice of the Court of Appeal and Administrator of the Court, on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, and will run until Wednesday, March 25, 2026.

The panel hearing the appeals comprises Lady Justice Hellen Obura, Lady Justice Eva Luswata, who is participating virtually, and Lady Justice Florence Nakachwa.

According to the cause list signed by the Court’s Registrar, HW Rukundo Allen Owembabazi, the majority of the appeals arise from murder convictions, which account for 12 cases, followed by aggravated defilement with 10 cases. Aggravated robbery accounts for four appeals, while the court will also hear appeals involving kidnap with intent to murder, rape, and manslaughter.

Four of the appeals were filed by the State, challenging acquittals in cases involving murder, aggravated defilement, and aggravated robbery.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting ahead of the session, Justice Kiryabwire reaffirmed Mbale’s strategic importance in the Judiciary’s decentralisation agenda, noting that the area has already been gazetted for a regional Court of Appeal.

He called on stakeholders to protect the land earmarked for the court, warning against encroachment and urging collective responsibility in preserving it for future development.

On justice delivery, Justice Kiryabwire said there is need to rethink traditional approaches, noting that courts alone cannot resolve every dispute.

“A significant number of disputes are resolved outside court. We must embrace alternative mechanisms such as plea bargaining and mediation to complement formal litigation,” he said.

He said the Judiciary is continuing to implement reforms under its transformation agenda, including the promotion of Alternative Dispute Resolution, plea bargaining, and the Alternative Justice System, which involves cultural and religious leaders in resolving disputes.

“We need all stakeholders — the police, prisons, the bar, and civic leaders — to support and promote these mechanisms,” he added.

Justice Kiryabwire also highlighted the Judiciary’s shift toward digital transformation through the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS), which is expected to streamline case management, improve access to court services online, and enhance efficiency through automated notifications and tracking.

Welcoming the Court of Appeal to Mbale, the head of the Mbale High Court Circuit, Justice Dr. Farouq Lubega, commended the initiative to take appellate services closer to the people.

He revealed that Mbale High Court is currently handling 3,976 cases, of which 1,827 are backlog, representing 45.9 percent of the total caseload.

Justice Lubega outlined several operational challenges affecting justice delivery in the circuit, including understaffing, delayed rollout of ECCMIS, unreliable internet connectivity, and underutilised transcription equipment due to the absence of transcription personnel. He also raised concern over the unfenced land reserved for the Court of Appeal, saying it remains vulnerable to encroachment.

Despite the challenges, he reported progress in Alternative Dispute Resolution, noting that 16 cases were resolved through mediation between January and February this year. He called for wider adoption of ADR mechanisms to ease pressure on the courts.

Representing the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Senior Assistant DPP Sam Oola said the DPP serves 10 districts in the region but has no presence in Butebo, Namisindwa, and Kween, a gap he said affects timely case processing.

He also cited challenges such as missing court files, delays in cause-listing cases involving accused persons on bail, and incomplete criminal sessions caused by judicial transfers.

On behalf of the Uganda Law Society, Eastern Uganda representative Eddie Nangulu expressed concern over delays in the disposal of appeals, underscoring the need for sustained efforts to strengthen the administration of justice in the region.

The Mbale criminal session is expected to bring appellate services closer to litigants and strengthen the Judiciary’s wider efforts to deliver timely and accessible justice across the country.