Justices of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal have begun a five-day retreat in Kalangala District to explore ways of improving judicial efficiency, reducing case backlogs and embracing technology. The retreat, organised by the Judiciary Training Institute (JTI) under the theme Enhancing Efficiency and Effectiveness in the Appellate Courts, has brought together appellate judges, judiciary administrators and experts to examine the challenges facing Uganda’s highest courts and identify practical solutions to improve justice delivery.
Opening the retreat, the Chief Justice, Dr. Flavian Zeija, urged judges to prioritise their mental wellbeing as a key pillar of quality justice. He said the retreat was more than an annual break from the courtroom, describing it as an opportunity for reflection, renewal and shaping the future direction of the Judiciary.
He said the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal occupy a unique position because their decisions establish legal precedents that guide all lower courts, making the quality and timeliness of their work critical to the justice system.
Zeija said the demands of judicial work expose judges to prolonged stress, particularly those handling criminal cases involving disturbing evidence, heavy caseloads and constant public scrutiny. Left unaddressed, he said, burnout can affect the quality of judicial reasoning and delay the delivery of justice. To address the challenge, the Judiciary has introduced confidential counselling services, medical camps, gym facilities and aerobics programmes for judicial officers.
However, Zeija noted that many judges have yet to embrace the initiatives because of the stigma often associated with seeking mental health support. “In Africa, there is still a perception that when people see you visiting a counsellor, they assume you have become mentally unstable. That is not the case,” he said, urging judicial officers to seek professional support whenever necessary.
He also encouraged judges to maintain healthy lifestyles through regular physical exercise, saying physical and mental wellbeing are essential to effective judicial service. The Chief Justice challenged appellate judges to strengthen teamwork despite differences in legal opinion, saying robust debate and dissenting judgments remain essential to the development of Uganda’s jurisprudence.
“Cohesiveness does not mean we must always agree in our judgments. Robust debate and dissenting opinions are the lifeblood of progressive jurisprudence,” he said, adding that professional disagreements should never become personal.
Zeija also called for clear, concise and well-reasoned judgments to minimise conflicting precedents that create uncertainty in the justice system. He argued that an efficient judiciary is as important to national development as physical infrastructure because delays in resolving commercial, land and investment disputes undermine economic growth and investor confidence.
Deputy Chief Justice Moses Kawumi Kazibwe said the retreat comes at a time when Uganda’s appellate courts are grappling with increasing case backlogs, rising public expectations and more complex litigation. “The condition of justice today requires more than legal knowledge. It requires integrity of character, effective leadership, technological adaptability and a commitment to continuous learning and innovation,” Kazibwe said.
He encouraged judges to participate openly in discussions and use the retreat as an opportunity to renew their commitment to judicial excellence and the constitutional mandate of the courts.
Supreme Court Justice Mike Chibita, who chairs the Judiciary Training Institute Governing Council, said the programme was developed after consultations with the leadership of both appellate courts to address emerging challenges facing the Judiciary. He said discussions during the retreat will focus on mental wellbeing, teamwork, leadership, the use of artificial intelligence to improve judicial efficiency without compromising the quality of decisions, and the Judiciary’s contribution to national economic development.
Judiciary Training Institute Executive Director Prof. Andrew Khaukha said the retreat deliberately moves beyond the traditional focus on judgment writing to examine the human factors that influence judicial performance. He noted that effective justice delivery depends not only on judges but also on the support provided by research officers, clerks, drivers, bodyguards and other Judiciary staff.
The retreat is expected to equip judges with practical strategies to improve collaboration, personal wellbeing and the use of technology as the Judiciary seeks to deliver faster, more consistent and higher-quality justice-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
