Fort Portal– The Deputy Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Moses Kazibwe Kawumi, has officially opened a Court of Appeal civil session in Fort Portal, calling for stronger collaboration between the Judiciary and the Uganda Law Society (ULS), increased use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms, and sustained efforts to improve access to justice.
The two-day session, which commenced on June 17 and concluded on June 18, 2026, heard a total of 30 civil appeals before a panel comprising Lady Justice Eva Luswata, Justice John Mike Musisi, and Justice Musa Ssekaana.
Speaking during the session, Justice Kazibwe emphasized the importance of maintaining a cordial and cooperative relationship between the Bench and the Bar.
“ULS and the Bench are actually twins; none can work well without cooperating with the other. On our side, we want to see a very smooth working relationship between us,” he said.
He urged stakeholders to utilize established communication channels to address institutional concerns and cautioned against public confrontations that could undermine the administration of justice.
Justice Kazibwe also championed mediation and other ADR mechanisms, applauding the Uganda Law Society’s efforts to resolve some of its disputes through mediation. He encouraged legal practitioners to lead by example in embracing amicable dispute resolution.
“The truth is it will be ridiculous for lawyers and the Judiciary to fail to mediate. If we are urging all others to mediate, we will not fail, and we all know the benefits of mediating,” he remarked.
He noted that mediation, plea bargaining, and other ADR mechanisms help resolve disputes more efficiently, reduce pressure on courts, and enable judicial officers to focus on matters that require formal adjudication.
During the stakeholder engagement since assuming office as Deputy Chief Justice—Justice Kazibwe expressed gratitude to members of the legal fraternity and other stakeholders for their support and congratulatory messages following his appointment.
He explained that regional Court of Appeal sessions are intended to bring appellate services closer to the people, reducing the financial and logistical burden on litigants who would otherwise travel to Kampala to pursue appeals.
The Deputy Chief Justice further revealed that the Judiciary had experienced a significant reduction in its proposed budget allocation for the new financial year. While acknowledging that some planned activities may be affected, he assured stakeholders that Judiciary management was implementing measures to ensure uninterrupted court operations across the country.
Justice Kazibwe also welcomed the role of religious leaders in mediation efforts and encouraged clergy, imams, and other faith leaders in Fort Portal and beyond to actively participate in ADR initiatives.
Addressing concerns about delays in the disposal of appeals, including a case handled during the session that had been filed in 2012, he acknowledged the challenge and noted that prolonged litigation often denies parties the benefits of timely justice.
On infrastructure development, the Deputy Chief Justice commended the Chairperson of Kabarole District for pledging land for the construction of a Regional Court of Appeal. He observed that establishing a permanent appellate court presence in the region would significantly improve access to justice and respond to the increasing caseload.
Justice Kazibwe also highlighted broader challenges facing the justice sector, including staffing gaps in key institutions such as the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), stressing that all justice sector agencies must grow together to enhance service delivery.
Earlier, the Head of the Fort Portal High Court Circuit, Hon. Justice Vincent Emmy Mugabo, congratulated Justice Kazibwe upon his appointment, describing it as recognition of his distinguished service, leadership, and commitment to the administration of justice.
