Uganda’s justice sector has unveiled an ambitious five-year programme aimed at improving access to justice, reducing case backlog, and strengthening institutions responsible for the administration of justice as the country pursues its 2030 development agenda.
The programme, launched on Friday in Kampala by Chief Justice Flavian Zeija and other heads of justice sector institutions, is aligned with the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV) covering the period 2025/26 to 2029/30.
According to the statement released by the Judiciary, the initiative is designed to address persistent and emerging challenges affecting justice service delivery while mobilising resources for interventions expected to have a broad impact across the sector.
“The project is aimed at mobilising resources to implement unique interventions that have a higher multiplier effect on all programme result areas,” the Judiciary said in a statement released after the launch.
Among its key targets is reducing the national case backlog from 27.2 per cent recorded in the 2023/24 financial year to 15.2 per cent by the end of the 2029/30 financial year.
The programme also seeks to expand the coverage of the Administration of Justice Programme from 87.4 per cent to 94.9 per cent over the same period, with officials saying this will make justice services more accessible, affordable and people-centred.
Other priorities include strengthening the capacity of justice institutions and rights holders, enhancing oversight and compliance with justice service delivery standards, and improving coordination among institutions involved in administering justice.
Implementation will involve several government agencies, including the Judiciary, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the Judicial Service Commission, the Law Development Centre, the Uganda Police Force, the Uganda Prisons Service, the Ministries of Internal Affairs, Gender and Local Government, Local Council Courts, the Tax Appeals Tribunal, Kampala Capital City Authority, the Inspectorate of Government and Justice Centres Uganda.
According to the Judiciary, the programme is expected to reinforce the rule of law, promote fair competition, protect individual and corporate rights, and contribute to social stability and sustainable economic growth by strengthening public confidence in state institutions.
The administration of justice encompasses institutions responsible for investigating offences, prosecuting suspects, adjudicating disputes, enforcing court decisions and promoting alternative mechanisms for dispute resolution.
The programme also supports Uganda Vision 2040 and the National Development Plan IV objective of doubling the country’s economy by 2030.