Uganda Judiciary Commissions Rukungiri High Court Building to Bring Justice Closer to the People

Rukungiri: The Uganda Judiciary has officially commissioned the Rukungiri High Court Circuit building. The event took place on May 30, at the court premises in Eastern Division, Rukungiri Municipality.

The Rukungiri High Court Circuit is among six new High Courts that were operationalized on September 18, 2022. Others include Luwero, Moroto, Tororo, Iganga, and Hoima Circuits.

The court building was constructed by the Government of Uganda, with Hebron Investment Company Ltd contracted to do the work at a cost of 1.62 billion Uganda shillings.

The Assistant Registrar for Rukungiri High Court, Atigo Hellen, revealed that since the court was established, it has registered 640 criminal cases, 930 civil cases, 180 family cases, and 185 land matters. The current workload includes 268 criminal cases, 270 civil cases, 58 family cases, and 93 land matters.

She also noted that 120 civil cases and 208 criminal cases were transferred from Kabale High Court, most of which have already been concluded.

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While commissioning the facility, the Deputy Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija, said the court will help reduce the backlog of cases and the long distances people from Rukungiri and Kanungu districts have been traveling to Kabale for justice.

He emphasized that bringing justice closer to the people has been a long-standing goal of the Judiciary’s transformation agenda. He urged the Resident Judge to ensure timely justice by embracing best practices such as scheduling clear hearing dates, offering excellent customer care, maintaining proper archives and exhibit stores, and upholding a zero-tolerance policy on corruption.

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The Resident Judge of Rukungiri High Court, Hon. Justice Susan Kanyange, confirmed that the court is now fully operational. It has a resident judge, an assistant registrar, a Grade One Magistrate, a research assistant, and nine support staff. She thanked the Government of Uganda for fully funding the construction and appreciated Rukungiri District and Municipality for providing land for the court.

The Principal Judge, Hon. Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga, said the Judiciary aims to improve physical access to justice by taking services closer to the people. She called for professionalism from court officers, urging them to serve clients with love and fairness, and encouraged the public to hold them accountable for any misconduct.

Area Member of Parliament for Rukungiri municipality Dr. Elisa Rutahirwa, LC5 Chairperson Geoffrey Kyomukama, Rukungiri Municipality Mayor Charles Makuru, Deputy RDC Wilberforce Ahimbisibwe Ongom, and other local leaders welcomed the court’s establishment, saying it will greatly reduce the burden of traveling to Kabale for justice.