The Deputy Chief Justice, Justice Dr Flavian Zeija, has called upon Judicial Officers to adopt greater discipline, accountability, and efficiency in case management.

This comes from the urgent need for change due to rising case filings alongside limited judicial manpower.

“It can no longer be business as usual, we must enhance efficiency through deliberate capacity building. Every training must be results-oriented, producing measurable improvements in performance and case disposal,” he warned.

These remarks were delivered on his behalf by Justice David Matovu, Head of the Criminal Division, during the official opening of the three-day Case Management Training Workshop for Judicial Officers from the Central Region held at the Court of Appeal Building Conference Hall, on Monday, October 27, 2025.

Justice Zeija, who also chairs the Judiciary Case Management Committee, re-assured the judiciary’s commitment to continuous capacity building.

He pointed to the 2024/25 Judiciary Annual Performance Report, which indicates that the case backlog constitutes about 20% of the total caseload.

He said that strengthening case management, judgment writing, and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), is critical to improving case flow and enhancing public trust in the justice system.

“This training could not have come at a better time. Effective case management prevents delays, well-reasoned judgments enhance public confidence, and ADR provides faster, less adversarial ways to resolve disputes,” he noted.

Justice Zeija also praised past initiatives such as the Settlement Fortnight, which has promoted wider adoption of ADR methods.

Justice Prof Andrew Khaukha, Executive Director of the Judicial Training Institute (JTI), participated virtually and reaffirmed the need for trainings that yield concrete improvements in judicial performance.

He announced a new collaboration between JTI and the Uganda Police Forensics Department that will deliver specialized sessions this week on forensic science topics including DNA analysis, fingerprints, ballistics, digital evidence, and crime scene examination.

Ag Chief Registrar HW Lamunu Pamella Ocaya reported that while average case disposal time has improved from 1,074 days in FY 2021/22 to 891 days in FY 2024/25, backlog still accounts for 24.2% of pending cases.

“We cannot afford to wait until backlog becomes unmanageable,” she cautioned.

She urged judicial officers to embrace strategies that streamline proceedings, minimize disruptions, and actively promote settlement.

HW Lamunu commended JTI for organizing the training following earlier successful workshops in Gulu, Mbarara, and Mbale, emphasizing the importance of institutionalized mentorship and joint training programs to foster shared learning among judicial personnel.

The three-day workshop brings together Judges, Registrars, Chief Magistrates, and Magistrates Grade I from Entebbe, Wakiso, Mpigi, Kira, Kasangati, Nabweru, Nsangi, Kajjansi, Nakawa, and the Anti-Corruption Division.