DCJ champions people-centred reforms to strengthen justice delivery
Justice Kazibwe said the Judiciary is committed to transforming the administration of justice by embracing technology, strengthening case management systems and deepening collaboration with development partners.
The Deputy Chief Justice, Moses Kawumi Kazibwe. (File photo)
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The Deputy Chief Justice, Moses Kawumi Kazibwe, has said the Judiciary is committed to building a modern, efficient and people-centred justice system through stronger international partnerships and innovative reforms aimed at improving access to justice for all Ugandans.
Speaking during a meeting with a delegation from the Austrian Embassy/Development Cooperation in Uganda at the Court of Appeal in Kampala on July 8, Justice Kazibwe said the Judiciary is committed to transforming the administration of justice by embracing technology, strengthening case management systems and deepening collaboration with development partners.
The Austrian delegation was led by Dr. Yvonne Katja Kerschbaumer, the head of the Austrian Embassy/Development Cooperation in Uganda.
The discussions between Judiciary staff and representatives of the Austrian Embassy focused on expanding cooperation in judicial capacity building, gender-responsive adjudication and reforms designed to improve justice service delivery.
Justice Kazibwe applauded the longstanding partnership between Uganda and Austria, describing the Austrian Development Cooperation as a key partner in promoting the rule of law, good governance and sustainable development.
The Deputy Chief Justice disclosed that there is an ongoing gender-responsive adjudication project under the 'Justice for Her' initiative, implemented by the International Association of Women Judges Uganda Chapter with funding from the Austrian Development Cooperation.
According to Justice Kazibwe, this initiative is enhancing the capacity of judicial officers to handle gender-related cases with sensitivity and professionalism.
He said the initiative has also improved the quality of judicial decisions and expanded access to justice for women and other vulnerable groups.
Justice Kazibwe outlined the Judiciary’s reform agenda, which includes improving case management systems, reducing case backlog, strengthening appellate justice, expanding the use of technology, enhancing judicial research and promoting mediation alongside other alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
He observed that emerging challenges such as cybercrime, transnational crime, environmental justice, commercial disputes and rapid digital transformation require continuous learning and closer collaboration among judiciaries across different jurisdictions.
He expressed the Judiciary’s interest in expanding cooperation with Austria in judicial education, digital innovation, legal research, exchange programmes and initiatives that promote equal access to justice.
He noted that the Judiciary is looking forward to completing key training programmes, finalising judicial manuals and enhancing Uganda’s participation in international judicial platforms through the gender-responsive adjudication project.
Justice Kazibwe emphasised that the partnership between the Judiciary and the Austrian Development Cooperation was built on transparency, accountability, mutual respect and a shared commitment to advancing justice.
In her remarks, Dr. Kerschbaumer congratulated Justice Kazibwe on his appointment as Deputy Chief Justice and commended the Constitutional Court for its contribution to the growth of constitutional jurisprudence in Uganda.
She acknowledged that case backlog remains one of the Judiciary's biggest challenges and encouraged Justice Kazibwe, in his role as chairperson of the Judiciary Case Backlog Committee, to intensify efforts to address systemic factors contributing to delays in the administration of justice.
Among the concerns she highlighted were prolonged pre-trial detentions, failure to comply with the constitutional requirement to present suspects before court within 48 hours, lengthy remand periods for non-capital offences and the continued reliance on session-based criminal hearings.