Parliament of Uganda has called on the government to allocate an additional 48.5 billion shillings to the judiciary to strengthen case handling, support court operations, and effectively manage election petitions.
Presenting the report on ministerial policy statements for the 2026/2027 financial year, Legal Committee Vice Chairperson John Teira emphasized the urgent need to fund timely disposal of cases, sustain daily court sessions, and support operations across 269 courts.
He noted that the funding would help target up to 60,000 cases.
Teira also highlighted the need to facilitate more than 55,000 court visits and provide support for court assessors, with three assigned to each judge to improve efficiency in the justice system.
In addition, he recommended an extra 31.9 billion shillings to ensure legal representation for individuals facing capital or life imprisonment charges, in line with constitutional requirements.
During the debate, Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda urged Parliament to safeguard judicial independence, warning against undue interference in court operations.
Meanwhile, Isaac Otimgiw welcomed the proposed funding, saying it would help reduce the growing case backlog and improve the efficiency of the justice system.
By Francis Lubega
16th April 2026
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