Magistrate lauds law reporting unit for enhancing justice access

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A senior grade one magistrate has hailed the Uganda Legal Information Institute (ULII) for transforming access to justice by offering free, timely, and reliable legal information through its online platform.

Joel Wegoye says with over 200,000 users accessing the platform daily, both within Uganda and internationally, ULII has revolutionised the way the public accesses justice, a development he said is a game-changer in bridging the justice gap for ordinary Ugandans.

According to Wegoye, the Law Reporting Unit through which ULII publishes court decisions and legal commentary, is empowering Ugandans from all walks of life to understand their rights and navigate the justice system.

The law reporting unit of the Judiciary is a specialised department responsible for compiling, editing and publishing court decisions, particularly those of important legal value.

According to Wegoye, the primary role is to ensure that judgments, especially from higher courts like the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court and High Court, are documented and made accessible to legal practitioners, researchers, students, and the general public.

Speaking during a public engagement with members of the Uganda Law Society (ULS) and the media at the ULS offices in Kololo, Wegoye said the digital repository has significantly reduced barriers to legal knowledge, empowering citizens, lawyers, and researchers alike.

The initiative, headed by Justice Andrew Khaukha of the Judicial Training Institute in Nakawa, has earned praise for its impact.

Kagoye noted that the platform’s real-time updates and searchable database have also enhanced transparency and accountability in the legal sector.

He added that ULII's success has attracted international attention, with several countries now benchmarking its model as a best practice for improving access to justice and strengthening the rule of law in their own jurisdictions.

“It is designed for the legal profession in terms of the judicial officers, the lawyers, but also the public, because we have quite a number of members of the public who are used to it,” Wegoye said.

On May 22, 2025, Wegoye said that the Judiciary is organising a refresher training for all advocates on May 30, 2025, to discuss the progress and future of ULII in enhancing access to justice.

ULS vice president commends

Uganda Law Society vice-president Isaac Newton Kyagaba commended the Judiciary for enhancing access to justice in Uganda through the ULII.

He noted that in the past, accessing case law was a major challenge. However, this innovation has made it significantly easier for legal practitioners and the public to access legal information quickly and efficiently.