Case backlog overwhelms Soroti courts

SOROTI - The Judiciary in Soroti is grappling with a growing case backlog, with at least 437 cases pending in court for more than four years without being heard.

Soroti High Court resident judge Boniface Wamala described the situation as worrying, noting that criminal and land matters account for a significant portion of the pending cases.

According to Justice Wamala, as of February this year, the High Court in Soroti had 1,256 cases pending disposal, while magistrates’ courts in the region were handling an additional 704 cases.

He made the remarks during an Open Court Day at the Soroti High Court in Soroti city on Tuesday (March 3), attended by Chief Justice Flavian Zeija.

“The circuit has three chief magistrate courts, the Katakwi chief magistrate that handles Katakwi, Amuria and Kapelebyong has 567 cases with a backlog of 83 cases,” Wamala remarked.

The Resident Judge of the High Court in Soroti Boniface Wamala remarks. (All Photos by Godgrey Ojore)

The Chief Justice attributed the backlog to a shortage of judicial officers, stating that the Judiciary lacks sufficient funding to recruit more staff.

Justice Zeija explained that although the High Court requires at least 150 judges to operate effectively, only 90 are currently serving nationwide.

He described the staffing gap as critical and called for increased funding to enable the Judiciary to recruit more judges and improve service delivery.

The Chief Justice also urged Soroti Woman Member of Parliament Ann Adeke Ebaju, who attended the meeting, to raise the issue of Judiciary funding on the floor of Parliament.

Members of the public that turned up for open day court in Soroti.

“Judiciary budget has been stagnant for the last three years. If we can address that, all these problems will be solved,” Justice Zeija said.

He further noted that the Judiciary is training religious and cultural leaders in the Alternative Dispute Resolution approach to settling matters before they reach court.

“We encourage fewer people to come to court as they use local mechanisms to solve these problems,” Justice Zeija said.

The reception attracted two paramount chiefs from the sub-region, alongside political and religious leaders and members of the public eager to engage with the head of the Judiciary.

Justice Zeija assumed office on January 24, 2026, following his appointment by President Yoweri Museveni, replacing Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, who retired on January 18 after attaining the mandatory retirement age of 70.

Principal Judge Jane Abodo accompanied the Chief Justice to Soroti.

The Open Court Day was held under the theme: Enhancing Judicial Accountability and Access to Justice.

This marked Justice Zeija’s first official visit to Teso since his elevation as the 11th Chief Justice of Uganda and head of the third arm of Government. He is expected to serve until 2039, when he will retire upon reaching the constitutional age limit of 70.

In the final years of Justice Owiny-Dollo’s tenure, the Judiciary established a second High Court circuit in Kumi, now serving Ngora, Kumi and Bukedea districts, easing the caseload previously handled solely by Soroti.

The Soroti High Court, located in Soroti city, currently serves seven districts and one city within the Teso sub-region.

Upon arrival, Justice Zeija planted a tree to commemorate his visit to Soroti.