By Delux Emmy Alomu
KUMI
Uganda’s Principal Judge, Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, has encouraged judicial officers and court staff to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and efficiency in their delivery of justice.
During the inaugural Court Open Day, Justice Abodo emphasized the importance of consistency and predictability in judicial decisions to prevent citizens from being surprised by outcomes.
The event, held at the Kumi High Court on May 20, 2026, focused on enhancing access to justice and improving service delivery for court users, centered around the theme “Justice that Listens, Serves and Resolves.”
“People should not be confused when a judge in Kumi imposes a fifty-year sentence for aggravated defilement while another judge in Fort Portal gives ten years for a similar offense. Justice must be predictable and consistent so that citizens have confidence in the system, ensuring they do not feel compelled to take the law into their own hands,” Justice Abodo stated.
She highlighted that building public trust relies on accountability, timely delivery of rulings and judgments, respectful treatment of all individuals who come to court, and a strict stance against corruption and malpractice.
“Let the Kumi High Court be recognized as a beacon of excellence in delivering timely and quality justice,” Justice Abodo urged.
Moreover, she revealed that the judiciary is undertaking significant reforms to improve access to justice nationwide. She indicated that certain cases would soon be reassigned from the high court to chief magistrate’s courts. This change is intended to alleviate the burden on high court judges, allowing them to focus on more complex issues that require higher-level adjudication.
Justice Abodo encouraged magistrates throughout the circuit to manage these new responsibilities with care, stressing the importance of alternative dispute resolution and alternative justice systems. She noted that many disputes could be resolved more amicably within communities, as not all matters need to reach the courtroom.
She called on judicial officers, members of the Bar, local leaders, and the public to fully support and embrace alternative dispute resolution and alternative justice systems. Such approaches not only resolve conflicts effectively but also foster peace, stability, and socio-economic development throughout Uganda.
“Consider the situation in Serere, where a young mother with a nine-month-old breastfeeding baby found herself in a cell due to allegations of fighting with another woman, while her baby stayed at home. Can you imagine how such a case, along with straightforward land issues, could be settled within the community by the elders? Why add layers of complexity by dragging these matters into court, knowing that some individuals do so just to delay the resolution?” she expressed.
The Principal Judge announced plans to involve cultural, religious, and political leaders, including RDCs, in training programs aimed at certifying them as mediators to handle cases.
She emphasized that this open day marks a significant step in their efforts to bridge the gap between the judiciary and the public, fostering trust between citizens and justice institutions, as high courts have often been viewed as remote by many.
Justice Abodo highlighted that this event is designed to make the judiciary more accessible and to clarify its functions. Today, they have effectively closed the court to open up to the community.
Hon. Lady Justice Mary Ikit, the Resident Judge of the Kumi High Court Circuit, noted that with a team of eight judicial officers and 28 support staff, they are currently managing 491 cases, with a concerning backlog of 128. She urged individuals with pending cases to follow up to prevent wasting time and resources.
Justice Ikit mentioned various initiatives being employed to resolve cases, including plea bargaining and Alternative Dispute Resolution (mediation), which can minimize costs and help maintain positive relationships instead of fostering conflict.
She explained that the Court Open Days serve as a platform for court officials to engage with the community, receive feedback, and be accountable to the public, which is essential since the Kumi High Court Circuit was launched just a year ago on May 13, 2025.
She noted that establishing the Kumi High Court Circuit from the Soroti High Court on that date has brought judicial services closer to the residents of Bukedea, Ngora, and Kumi districts. The day’s theme aligns well with the core mission of this new court.
The event included court tours, exhibitions, and opportunities for questions and answers.
Many residents raised concerns about issues such as judicial corruption and the lengthy timeframes for court decisions. Responding to queries about why cases where sniffer dogs indicate suspects are dismissed, Justice Ikit clarified that the evidence from sniffer dogs alone is insufficient for a conviction, stressing that corroborative and independent evidence is necessary to support such claims.
Kumi Resident District Commissioner, Ismael Pinto Hamwada said open day court is important because justice must not only be administered but must also be understood and trusted by the people.
Lt. Walugembe Ramathan, the Bukedea Deputy Resident District Commissioner said people still lack what to do and its why you find a case of defilement entertained by elders in some communities and murder cases bargaining for compensation.
Ismael Orot, the Kumi district veteran politician who served as LC5 Chairperson and member of parliament advised everybody who finds himself or herself in any authority never to interfere with justice.
“Whether you are a mayor, a doctor or who, the law should always be given its time to bring justice for everybody and it’s a reason he was able to govern the old Kumi with now three districts for 15 years. If you interfere with law and order, no development can come,” he said.
Stephen Opolot, the new LC5 Chairperson Kumi said this is really a noble engagement for the stakeholders and requested that this program becomes continuous because it creates awareness on the use of courts. He called on the people to avoid corruption saying there has been a lot of extortion of money by some people who masquerade as magistrates.
