Judiciary launches boat to bring justice closer to Kalangala islands

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Residents on the over 84 islands in Kalangala district should brace for enhanced access to justice.

This follows the acquisition of a speedboat by the Judiciary to ease the mobility of judicial officers across the islands.

Launching the 10-seater boat in Kalangala on March 28, 2026, the Chief Justice, Dr Flavian Zeija, said the Judiciary under his stewardship is committed to ensuring that every Ugandan has easy access to justice.

“When I came here as Deputy Chief, I appreciated the problems of access to justice on Islands through the various testimonies. So, I am happy to launch this boat. Now our judicial officers have got a secure boat because they have been using the ordinary ones, which also carry the criminals, which has been very risky for them,” Zeija said.

Chief Justice Dr Flavian Zeija arriving at Kalangala district for the launch of the boat on Saturday, March 28, 2026. (Photo by Farooq Kasule)

Zeija said he will ensure that access to justice is not merely a slogan but a reality for both the people living on the mainland and islands across the country.

Zeija urged the judicial officers stationed in Kalangala to use the boat as a tool for improved service by using it to reach the furthest points across the jurisdiction.

He said the boat will also be used for mobile court sessions on the islands. “I thank the Government for the budgetary allocation that has made the procurement of this boat possible,” Zeija said.

Zeija also thanked the Judiciary permanent secretary, Dr Pius Bigirimana, for fast-tracking the acquisition of the boat.

Principal Judge Jane Frances Abodo said the acquisition of the boat was in fulfilment of the Judiciary’s constitutional mandate of making justice easily accessible to the people.

“We are committed to fulfilling our constitutional mandate of bringing justice closer to you. We are also committed to delivering justice more efficiently to you,” Abodo said.

Bigirimana said the acquisition of the boat aligns with the Judiciary’s transformation agenda launched in 2021.

“This transformation has got so many ingredients both in quality and quantity,” Bigirimana said.

Kalangala Chief Magistrate Glory Alleluya thanked the Judiciary top management for providing the boat, which she said will ease their mobility to all islands.

“This jurisdiction has over 84 islands, but I haven’t visited all of them. Now that I have a boat, I am going to visit them, and I will give you accurate information because some say only 48 are inhabited,” Alleluya said.

With the launch of the boat, Alleluya said people on the islands should expect enhanced access to justice.

Hallelujah revealed that there are currently 144 pending criminal matters before the court, while pending civil matters stand at 79.

Kalangala district chairperson Rajab Ssemakula commended the Judiciary for acquiring the boat, saying it will reduce the transport costs incurred by justice seekers, as judicial officers will now move across the islands.