Staffing Shortages and Budget Woes Cripple Judiciary, Delay Justice

The Judiciary, a pillar of justice and equity in Uganda, is grappling with critical challenges as it strives to deliver on the commitments outlined in the NRM Manifesto 2021-2026 under the thematic area of law and order.
Despite notable progress, issues such as inadequate manpower, limited budgetary allocations, and inefficiencies within related justice agencies continue to hinder effective service delivery.
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Challenges Undermining Judicial Progress
The shortage of judicial officers and administrative staff remains a significant bottleneck.
As of October 2024, only 31% of the approved Judiciary staff structure is filled, leaving a wide gap in meeting the growing demand for justice.
This shortage, coupled with limited administrative support, negatively affects case management and prolongs the justice delivery process.
Budgetary constraints have further compounded the problem. While the government pledged to progressively increase the Judiciary’s budget to Shs 800 billion by FY 2025/26, the approved budget for FY 2024/25 stands at Shs442 billion—far below the target.
This financial shortfall has slowed the expansion of judicial services and delayed the scaling up of technological innovations such as the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS).
Pius Bigirimana, the Secretary to the Judiciary, highlighted the critical need for adequate funding to sustain these improvements.
“For the Judiciary to deliver on its mandate effectively, the budgetary support must match the increasing demands for justice,” he said.
Inadequacies in key justice agencies, including the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Uganda Police Force, and the Judicial Service Commission, have frustrated efforts to reduce case backlogs.
These agencies lack sufficient resources and capacity to complement the Judiciary’s initiatives, further straining the system.
Progress Despite the Odds
Despite these hurdles, the Judiciary has made strides in several areas.
The introduction of ECCMIS, a system that automates the entire lifecycle of court cases, has been a game-changer.
Implemented in 13 court stations, ECCMIS has increased the case filing rate by 20.6% and reduced human-to-human contact, thereby minimizing corruption risks.
The system has also improved the average case completion rate by 17.5% in courts where it operates.
Efforts to enhance access to justice have seen the construction of new court buildings and the renovation of outdated structures.
Notable completions include the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal buildings, as well as several justice centers and magistrates’ courts in various districts.
These developments have increased court coverage to 80%, a significant leap from 51% in FY 2020/21.
The Judiciary has also embraced technology to adapt to the demands of a post-COVID-19 era.
Video conferencing systems are now operational in 17 courts, enabling remote adjudication of cases and reducing the need for physical appearances.
Additionally, all judicial officers have been equipped with computers, enhancing their ability to work remotely and write judgments efficiently.
Sarah Langa Siu, the Judiciary Chief Registrar, emphasized the importance of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, such as mediation, to expedite cases and provide a level playing field for all parties.
“Mediation is not just about reducing the backlog; it is about ensuring that justice is timely, fair, and accessible to everyone, regardless of their status or location. We are training mediators across the country,” she remarked.
A comprehensive case backlog strategy is also in place, targeting the gradual reduction of unresolved cases.
Over the past three years, case backlog rates have declined from 32% in FY 2020/21 to 25.03% by September 2024.
The Judiciary remains keen on reinforcing zero tolerance for corruption within the system. Regular monitoring of judicial officers and the introduction of robust systems aim to uphold the integrity of Uganda’s justice delivery mechanisms.