The Principal Judge Jane Frances Abodo has said public confidence is the Judiciary’s most important asset, warning that losing trust in the courts could undermine the institution’s ability to effectively administer justice.
Abodo made the remarks on Wednesday at the Supreme Court in Kampala, as the Judiciary prepares to hold its third National Court Open Day on Thursday, at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds. She said the Open Day is intended to bring the Judiciary closer to the people by allowing court users to ask questions, raise concerns and obtain accurate information about judicial processes.
The event, to be held under the theme “Delivering Inclusive, Efficient and Effective Justice”, will bring together courts, judicial departments and institutions involved in the administration of justice. A total of 88 exhibitors are expected to participate, including specialised court divisions, judicial registries, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, the Uganda Police Force,
Uganda Prisons Service, Uganda Law Society and the Judicial Service Commission. The public will have an opportunity to learn about court services, including filing and management of cases, bail procedures, access to judgments and rulings, execution of court decisions, as well as mechanisms for lodging complaints and providing feedback.
According to Abodo, the National Court Open Day provides a platform for the Judiciary to demonstrate its commitment to transparency and accountability while receiving feedback from the people it serves. She said the Judiciary derives its authority from the people and is therefore accountable to them for the way it exercises judicial power and delivers services.
Abodo said the event will also allow the Judiciary to explain reforms and innovations being implemented to improve access to justice and court efficiency. These include the digitalisation of court processes, electronic filing and case tracking, court-annexed mediation, plea bargaining, small claims procedures, case backlog reduction and improved client-care services.
The Judiciary went paperless in June this year, and the Open Day will provide an opportunity for members of the public to learn more about the digital transformation of court operations.
On her part, the Judiciary’s Chief Registrar Agnes Alum said the event will also feature practical demonstrations designed to help members of the public understand how cases move through the court system.
The programme will include a “Meet the Judiciary” segment, where members of the public can directly interact with judges, magistrates, registrars and other judicial officers. For the first time, Alum said participants will be digitally registered using a QR code system to enable the Judiciary to track attendance and strengthen accountability.
She said feedback from participants will be collected through physical forms, QR codes and other digital platforms under the “Your Voice” segment. Alum said the information will be used to identify gaps in service delivery and guide improvements within the Judiciary.
Judicial officers have also warned members of the public against corruption and fraud, urging court users to deal only with properly identified Judiciary staff, make payments through authorised channels and demand official receipts.
They have further cautioned the public against giving money to individuals who claim they can influence judicial officers or determine the outcome of cases.
The National Court Open Day provides members of the public with an opportunity to engage judicial officers through question-and-answer sessions, receive information about court procedures and services, observe demonstrations and provide feedback on their experiences with the justice system.
However, the event comes against the backdrop of concerns raised by justice seekers during the 2025 edition of the Open Day when participants openly expressed frustrations over delays in the disposal of cases, alleged misconduct by some judicial officers and inadequate follow-up on cases filed in different courts across the country-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
