Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny Dollo has make clear the persistent challenges dealing with the judicial sector, together with restricted budgetary provision, mounting case backlogs, and insufficient salaries for administrative and help workers.

Talking on the inauguration of the New Regulation 12 months 2024 on the Judiciary Headquarters in Kampala, Justice Dollo acknowledged the constructive strides made by the courts in impacting the lives of residents. Nevertheless, he lamented the failure of the federal government to meet its dedication to extend the price range for the Judiciary, as promised by the President.

Regardless of assurances to steadily increase the Judiciary’s price range to 800 billion shillings in the course of the medium time period, Justice Dollo revealed that the promised increment has not materialized. This shortfall, he emphasised, has impeded the belief of the Transformation Agenda and hampered the Judiciary’s effectiveness. He appealed to the federal government to honor its pledge, underscoring the significance of sufficient funding in serving the Ugandan populace successfully.

Justice Dollo highlighted the upcoming expiration of the Judiciary’s strategic plan within the fiscal yr 2024/2025, coinciding with the top of his tenure as Chief Justice in January 2026. He urged the federal government to reinforce the price range as promised within the remaining two monetary years, enabling the excellent implementation of the transformation plan earlier than his departure.

In addressing the surge in case registration, Justice Dollo famous the enlargement of courts nationwide and intensified consciousness applications, resulting in a constant rise in newly registered circumstances yearly. He supplied statistics indicating a rise from 198,829 to 241,591 newly registered circumstances in 2022, with an extra rise to 269,595 in 2023. Though commendable progress has been made in decreasing case backlogs, progressive methods are required to handle the escalating demand for judicial providers successfully.

Furthermore, Justice Dollo advocated for wage increments for administrative and help workers, underscoring their pivotal function within the functioning of the judiciary. “Whereas judicial officers have seen enhancements of their salaries, administrative and help workers proceed to grapple with meager pay, adversely affecting their livelihoods and morale. Addressing this wage disparity is essential to enhancing general effectivity and productiveness throughout the judiciary.”

In conclusion, Chief Justice Owiny Dollo reiterated the Judiciary’s dedication to its mandate regardless of the prevailing challenges. He emphasised the significance of sustained authorities help and funding to be able to uphold the rule of regulation and guarantee equitable entry to justice for all Ugandans.

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