Court users on Monday voiced frustration over delays in the administration of justice, corruption, and interference with case files during the second Judiciary Court Open Day held in Kampala.
Hundreds of members of the public accused some judicial officers and court staff of delaying judgments, intimidating litigants, and, in some cases, allegedly removing crucial evidence from court files-claims they said have prolonged their search for justice for years.
Ms Josephine Tushabe from Wakiso District told the gathering that her case has dragged on for a decade after vital evidence was allegedly removed from her file.
‘The main issue I have with the Judiciary is the removal of crucial evidence from my case file. This has forced me to move from one court to another for the last 10 years in search of justice,’ Ms Tushabe said.
Another court user, Ms Jane Frances Nabasa, accused magistrates and prosecutors at Kajjansi Magistrate’s Court of mishandling her case.
‘The State Attorney was cooperative at first, but later chased me from her office. A new magistrate who took on my case later claimed I had settled the matter and even signed a compensation agreement, which was not true,’ Ms Nabasa told the meeting.
The complaints also spilled into wider criticism of the Judiciary’s treatment of some lawyers. Mr Yasiin Ssetumbwe, who identified himself as an advocate, while speaking in Luganda, accused the Judiciary of being hostile to legal practitioners, citing the case of Uganda Law Society president Mr Isaac Ssemakadde, who left the country months into his tenure.
Mr Ssemakadde is facing criminal charges, including alleged abuse of the former Director of Public Prosecutions, Ms Jane Frances Abodo, and was also convicted and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment for contempt of court.
‘Some courts are not hearing Ssemakadde’s cases. This kind of treatment scares lawyers,’ Mr Ssetumbwe said, drawing reactions from sections of the audience.
Participants also referenced former Supreme Court Justice Esther Kisaakye, who left the country last year, citing threats to her life, following disagreements within the Judiciary after her dissenting opinion in the 2021 presidential election petition.
As some speakers invoked President Museveni’s name while seeking redress, the Judiciary’s Public Relations Officer, Mr James Ereemye Mawanda, clarified that the Head of State was not present at the event.
‘His Excellency the President is not here. However, the Honourable Chief Justice is represented by the Deputy Chief Justice,’ Mr Mawanda said.
Responding to the concerns, Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, in remarks delivered by Deputy Chief Justice Flavian Zeija, acknowledged the grievances and emphasised the Judiciary’s accountability to the public.
‘It therefore follows that the Judiciary, or the Courts, exercise delegated power. The authority we exercise is given to us by the people of Uganda through the Constitution. Accordingly, we have a duty to account to you, and you have a right to question what we are not doing well,’ the Chief Justice said.
He said the Court Open Day was organised to allow court users to engage directly with judicial officers and justice sector stakeholders, including the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Uganda Police Force, Uganda Prisons Service, Uganda Bureau of Standards, Uganda Wildlife Authority, and the National Water and Sewerage Corporation.
‘I encourage you to visit the different stalls, ask questions, and engage with the institutions present so that together we can improve service delivery in the administration of justice,’ the Chief Justice said.