The Principal Judge, Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, is currently leading Kitgum High Court’s first-ever Court Open Day, held on the court grounds under the theme “Enhancing Judicial Accountability and Access to Justice.”
Justice Abodo was welcomed with traditional Crown Star dancers and a warm reception from the Kitgum Resident Judge, Justice Phillip Willebrord Mwaka, the Deputy Registrar, HW Suzanne Aisia Musooli, the Chief Magistrate, HW Nashiero Mwandha Robert Ekirita, and other judicial officers in the circuit. The event also saw the participation of Resident District Commissioner Mr. Ssegawa Jimmy Ebil, local leaders, and civic actors.
The Principal Judge inspected a Guard of Honor mounted by the Uganda Police Force, held a brief meeting with judicial officers, and took a guided tour of the court premises. She also planted a commemorative tree and visited stalls set up by justice institutions, including the Uganda Police Force, Uganda Prisons Service, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Community Service, and Uganda Law Society Legal Aid Clinic, where services were showcased and the public engaged directly with justice actors.
During her tour, Justice Abodo encouraged judicial officers to work smart, deliver justice efficiently, and embrace Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods to reduce case backlogs. She emphasized the importance of collaboration with other justice institutions and the community, noting that teamwork enhances service delivery and strengthens public trust in the judiciary.
While touring the facilities, concerns about infrastructure challenges were highlighted. The Chief Magistrate’s Court archives, for instance, lack acid-free boxes for proper file preservation, and available storage space is limited. On a positive note, ongoing works by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to install video-conferencing facilities were noted, marking progress in improving digital access to justice.
The Open Day attracted a large turnout of community members, political and religious leaders, civic actors, and representatives from various justice institutions, all eager to learn more about court operations and innovations in justice delivery. The event signals a significant step toward improving judicial transparency, accountability, and public engagement in Kitgum.
