New Supreme Court & Court of Appeal Towers Near Completion

The Permanent Secretary / Secretary to the Judiciary, Pius Bigirimana, has assured the public that the construction of Supreme Court and Court of Appeal is set to be concluded before the year ends.

Addressing the press at Judiciary headquarters on Thursday, Bigirimana revealed that the construction of the twin towers which commenced in August 2020 is now in its final stage.

“The construction of the superstructure of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal buildings is complete. Tiling, wiring, fixing of windows and door frames and painting of Supreme Court building has started while plastering and roofing of the Court Appeal building is on-going,” Bigirimana noted.

The total construction budget of these two buildings is valued at 63.9 billion shillings and once complete, it will save the Judiciary approximately Shs 9.7billion which is currently being spent annually on rent for the said Courts.

“The two buildings have eight floors above the ground and two underground, the underground parking of these buildings will accommodate 226 vehicles thus reducing on the congestion of vehicles in the parking yard,” Bigirimana added.

The Judiciary is also in plans to construct High Court buildings in Soroti, Rukungiri, Mubende and Tororo, buildings for the Chief Magistrate Courts in Alebtong, Lyantonde, Budaka and Kira.

“On top of the above, we are in plans to construct Court buildings for the Magistrate Grade 1 in Abim, Patong, Karenga, Kyazanga and Kaabong as well as well as institutional houses especially in hard to reach areas like Nakapiripirit, Bukwo and Buhweju.”

Secretary to the Judiciary Pius Bigirimana addressing the press on Thursday at Judiciary headquarters, Kampala.

Among other plans is to renovate Court buildings at Hoima, Luwero and Masindi Chief Magistrates Courts, Masaka and Mbale High Courts.

Ntungamo Chief Magistrate and Tororo Chief Magistrates Courts are at finishing stage.

Staffing and Transport

On the issue of recruitment of new judicial officers to address the backlog challenge, the Judicial Service Commission has been promoting and recruiting more judicial officers to reduce on understaffing.

In less than two weeks, JSC appointed 35 officers as acting Chief Magistrates and ten judicial officers were elevated to Acting Principal Grade one Magistrates as one of the means of improving service delivery in the Judiciary.

Before this appointment, several judges were appointed earlier, a number of Chief Magistrates were also promoted to the level of Registrars well as others were promoted to Deputy, Assistant and full Registrars.

“A total of 56 vehicles have been procured this FY 2021/22. However, there is need for more vehicles for the Justices, Judges, Registrars and Magistrates across the Courts especially in hard to reach areas, to facilitate locus visits and other adjudication functions of courts,” Bigirimana added.

He emphasized that all the judges and Registrars have got vehicles and Judiciary awaits more funds to procure more for members of the lower bench.

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