The Uganda Law Society’s Greater Masaka Chapter has temporarily suspended its sit-down strike after the Judiciary pledged to address the longstanding staffing shortages and case backlog at the Masaka High Court circuit. This decision follows high-level meetings between Judiciary officials and leaders of the Radical New Bar.
In a statement released on Thursday, June 26, Alexander Lule, chairperson of the Masaka Bar, confirmed the strike suspension. He cited the Judiciary’s press release dated June 25, which outlined plans to deploy visiting judges to Masaka and increase the frequency of court sessions.
The strike, which began on June 12, was driven by what regional lawyers described as a “chronic case backlog and gross understaffing” in the judiciary. These issues have left thousands of litigants across Greater Masaka’s ten districts without timely access to justice.
A closed-door meeting last week between Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, Principal Judge Dr. Flavian Zeija, and the Uganda Law Society (ULS) leadership was pivotal in the decision to pause the strike. According to Lule, the discussions provided a platform for the Judiciary to engage directly with legal practitioners and seek practical solutions to the crisis.
While welcoming the Judiciary’s response, Lule stressed that more comprehensive action is needed. “We acknowledge the efforts, but much more must be done to resolve the deep-rooted backlog and resource constraints affecting the Masaka region, home to over two million people,” he said.
The Masaka Bar has presented three key demands as part of a proposed long-term solution:
- Immediate deployment of at least 12 resident judges and five registrars.
- Full implementation of the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS) in Masaka to enhance efficiency and transparency.
- Swift resolution of internal ULS and Judicial Service Commission cases that are hindering the society’s operations.
“If our top three leaders were active in office, communication and coordination with the Judiciary would have been smoother,” Lule added.
The suspension comes ahead of a scheduled visit by Acting Principal Judge Hon. Lady Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga on Monday, June 30. She is expected to meet with legal practitioners and court users in Masaka to further assess the situation.
“We commend the Judiciary’s responsiveness and look forward to a conclusive agreement that could bring a permanent end to the strike,” Lule concluded.
The Masaka High Court circuit, serving over two million residents, has long struggled with delays in criminal, land, and civil cases due to a shortage of judicial officers.
credit: Daily Express news
