The Judiciary is stepping up preparations for the upcoming National Court Open Day, an initiative to strengthen accountability, scale up stakeholder engagements in the communities.

Scheduled for December 15th, 2025, at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala, this year’s event will be held under the theme, “Enhancing Judicial Accountability and Access to Justice.”

Speaking at the second preparatory meeting this week, Acting Chief Registrar Lamunu Pamella Ocaya, representing the Principal Judge, and Registrar High Court Prossy Katushabe underscored the importance of teamwork and coordination among all courts involved to make the day a success.

In her opening remarks, Ocaya reminded participants that the Open Day is a valuable chance for the Judiciary to connect directly with the public, promote transparency, and make justice more accessible.

“We must work together across all divisions and circuits to ensure a well-organized and impactful Open Day,” she said.

The Court Open Days are deliberate efforts by the Judiciary to strengthen accountability, scale up stakeholder engagements, sensitize court users and obtain feedback on services provided by the Judiciary.

The Day is a best practice benchmarked from Denmark where for years from 1996 to 2016 where many Judicial Officers particularly, Magistrates Grade One were trained for a period of one month.

During the meeting, Registrar Planning, Research and Development John Paul Edoku, shared details on the proposed budget, program, and logistical arrangements. He also highlighted the participation of Wakiso, Entebbe, and Lugazi High Court Circuits, following the recent transfer of cases from Kampala. This move ensures that all court users will receive timely and accurate information during the event.

The committee also encouraged courts to engage with key stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies, legal aid providers, and civil society organizations, to make the Open Day as inclusive and meaningful as possible.

In addition, organizers emphasized the need for strong publicity across media platforms to raise awareness and encourage citizens to attend and benefit from the event.

All recommendations from the meeting will be compiled and submitted to the Principal Judge for approval, setting the stage for what promises to be a landmark occasion in promoting transparency, accountability, and public trust in Uganda’s judicial system.