Lango receives lifeline as Attorney General opens regional office in Lira

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For years, local government officials, judicial officers and ordinary citizens across the Lango sub-region endured exhausting journeys to Gulu and Kampala in pursuit of legal guidance, government representation and judicial services.

From the distant districts of Amolatar and Dokolo to the growing urban centres of Lira city, accessing the Office of the Attorney General often meant long travel hours, delayed responses, costly litigation and frustration over unresolved government cases.

However, on May 20, 2026, that burden was significantly eased when the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs officially opened the regional office of the Attorney General in Lira city, a landmark step officials described as a major victory for decentralisation, timely justice and efficient government service delivery in Northern Uganda.

The colourful ceremony, presided over by Lady Justice Sarah Birungi Kalibbala, drew judicial officers, chief administrative officers, resident city commissioners, lawyers and senior government officials from across the Lango sub-region.

The establishment of the office is expected to serve Lango and neighbouring areas by bringing legal advisory services, contract vetting, civil litigation support and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms closer to local governments and citizens.

'Long overdue'

In her remarks, Justice Kalibbala described the establishment of the office as a critical complement to the Judiciary’s decentralisation efforts.

“It has been long overdue,” Kalibbala said.

She explained that while the Judiciary had expanded courts closer to communities, justice delivery remained incomplete without corresponding legal support institutions.

“Expanding the judiciary without expanding the people we work with was not helping us to be effective and efficient,” she observed.

Kalibbala praised the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs for responding to a long-standing gap in service delivery and said the office would improve consultations, court representation and timely disposal of cases.

“The litigants will have an easier way of coming to your offices for consultations, for effective representation in courts, and having timely justice delivered,” she said.

She warned that courts cannot function effectively if government lawyers fail to file documents or appear in court on time.

“If you don’t file your papers, if you don’t appear in court, if you don’t do what is necessary, then the judiciary will sit wherever we are, but justice will delay,” she noted.

Kalibbala also applauded the deployment of what she described as a “vibrant team” to the Lira office.

“We expect the best from them, and we are sure they will not disappoint,” she said.

She urged chief administrative officers and government institutions to provide timely information to government lawyers to enable effective legal representation.

“It would be a waste of resources if this office is established and people do not make use of it,” she emphasised.

'A baby born'

Deputy Solicitor General Charles Ouma described the opening of the Lira office as a historic milestone in Uganda’s decentralisation journey.

“This is a memorable day,” Ouma said. “The analogy I use is that a baby has been born, and we should celebrate this baby.”

He paid tribute to the Gulu regional office, particularly regional head Elizabeth Nyakwebara, for carrying a massive workload over the years.

“One office was handling up to 25 districts,” he noted.

Ouma explained that before April this year, Uganda had only seven regional offices of the Attorney General, but by the end of the week, the number would rise to 12.

“This financial year alone, we are establishing five regional offices,” he announced.

He outlined how the ministry is strategically distributing offices across the country to reduce travel burdens and improve service delivery.

According to Ouma, decentralisation would improve efficiency, reduce transport costs and eliminate delays caused by long-distance court travel.

“You cannot expect a lawyer travelling from Gulu to Masindi, Hoima, and Lira to arrive fully prepared and focused,” he said.

He shared an example from Hoima, where courts previously delayed proceedings while waiting for government lawyers travelling from distant stations.

“Now the Attorney General’s lawyers are the ones arriving first in court,” he said humorously.

Ouma also urged local governments to strengthen collaboration with government lawyers and prioritise mediation over prolonged court battles.

“Litigation should be the tail end,” he advised. “The quickest solution is among ourselves.”

He emphasised that the legal profession should promote dialogue and conflict resolution before disputes escalate to court.

Govt closer to the people

Lira resident city commissioner Lawrence Egwole described the office opening as more than a ceremonial event.

“To me, this is more than just opening an office,” Egwole said. “It is the beginning of government coming closer in service to the people.”

He noted that districts in northern Uganda had for years been forced to seek legal advice, contract vetting and representation from distant offices in Gulu or Kampala.

“That distance costs time, delays services, and increases the cost of doing government business,” he said.

Egwole said the new office would significantly improve government efficiency by accelerating contract clearances for roads, schools and health projects while strengthening legal representation in court.

“Legal services that protect public resources and defend government interests will now be available where they are needed,” he added.

He urged lawyers posted to the office to uphold integrity and safeguard taxpayers’ money.

“Every contract you vet, every opinion you give, and every case you handle should protect the taxpayer and uphold the rule of law,” Egwole emphasised.

He further appealed for the office to nurture young lawyers from Northern Uganda and build local legal capacity.

“The people of Lango, Acholi, Teso, and Karamoja deserve the same quality of legal service as any other part of Uganda,” he said. “Distance should never be a barrier to justice.”

'We are ready to serve'

Regional head Simon Peter Muyomba described the new office as a determined and energetic team prepared to transform legal service delivery in the region.

“I have a dream team,” Muyomba declared confidently. “These young men and women have the zeal, the vigour, the determination, and the charisma to offer reliable and unique services.”

Despite acknowledging warnings that the Lango region could be “tedious,” Muyomba said his team was fully prepared for the task ahead.

“What matters now is not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog,” he said.

He emphasised that the office was already operational and urged local governments and the public to utilise its services.

“Who knew that services would come closer here? Who knew we would stop trekking from Alebtong, Oyam, Kamdini and other districts to Gulu? Today, services are not only at our doorstep, but even on our dining tables,” Muyomba remarked.

He revealed that the office would soon intensify public awareness campaigns through radio and television so communities understand the services now available locally.

Local governments welcome relief

The launch was warmly welcomed by local government leaders, who described the office as a long-awaited intervention to address persistent legal and administrative challenges.

Rhoda Oroma said districts like Amolatar had faced enormous logistical difficulties because of the long distance to Gulu.

“Amolatar is about 240 kilometres from Gulu,” Oroma explained. “It was extremely difficult to engage the Attorney General’s office from such a distance.”

She said local governments often struggled to facilitate government lawyers because of transport costs and travel requirements.

Oroma also highlighted how delayed legal processes had created administrative confusion within districts.

She cited the example of an Amolatar district speaker who was remanded shortly after the election in 2021, but whose case remains unresolved.

“Because he has never been convicted, legally he remains presumed innocent,” she explained. “But at the same time, council operations had to continue, creating administrative complications.”

According to Oroma, the heavy workload at the Gulu office contributed to delays in handling such matters.

“But now that they are in Lira, it will be easier to manage cases effectively and offer guidance promptly,” she said.

Meanwhile, Moses Otim said local governments had for years struggled with delayed legal guidance because of the distance to Gulu and the overwhelming workload handled there.

“For a long time, we have been yearning for this service,” Otim said. “Now that the office is here, we believe we shall be getting timely feedback.”

He explained that districts often incurred huge costs transporting officers and facilitating government lawyers travelling from Gulu to represent them in court matters.

“Local governments have lost cases before, not because they are weak, but because they are incapacitated,” he observed.

Otim also noted that Lango residents are increasingly knowledgeable about their constitutional rights, resulting in more litigation against local governments.

“Our people are informed, people. They know their rights, and they want timely solutions,” he said.

He particularly praised the ministry’s emphasis on alternative dispute resolution (ADR), saying mediation and out-of-court settlements would help reduce unnecessary litigation expenses.

“Alternative dispute resolution is the way to go,” Otim stressed. “When we work on that, we can solve many issues before they reach court.”

As the ceremony concluded, optimism filled the hall that the new regional office would not only reduce legal delays but also strengthen governance, accountability and access to justice across northern Uganda.