Uganda’s Judiciary has taken a bold step to reshape the delivery of appellate justice by creating eight regional Court of Appeal circuits, a reform expected to transform how and where appeals are handled.
The initiative is designed to bring higher-level judicial services closer to citizens, ease pressure on the Kampala-based court, and make the justice process faster and more affordable.
In an official communication from the Judiciary’s Public Relations Office, the development was presented as a strategic move to strengthen efficiency in the courts.
For years, the Court of Appeal in Kampala has faced mounting case backlogs, leading to long waits for hearings. Decentralizing its operations is seen as a practical answer to this persistent challenge.
The legal foundation for the change lies in Legal Notice No. 21 of 2025, titled The Constitution (Creation of the Court of Appeal Circuits) (Practice) Directions, 2025. The directive was issued on October 30, 2025, by Chief Justice Emeritus Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo, acting under powers granted by Article 133(1)(b) of Uganda’s Constitution.
With the reform in place, the appellate court will now convene in Arua, Fort Portal, Gulu, Jinja, Masaka, Mbale, Mbarara, and Mubende. This spread of locations is expected to significantly cut down the need for litigants and lawyers to travel to the capital, making access to justice more convenient for people across different regions.
Judiciary authorities have framed the reform as part of a wider commitment to improving service delivery and reinforcing public confidence in the legal system. By physically moving court services closer to communities, the institution aims to ensure that justice is not only done but also seen to be accessible and responsive.
Implementation will follow a phased plan, with Gulu and Mbarara set to lead the way. Operations in these two cities will begin once construction of their court facilities is complete, marking the first stage of the broader nationwide rollout.
During the transition period, cases currently pending before the Court of Appeal in Kampala that fall within the jurisdiction of the new circuits will be relocated. Appeals and constitutional petitions that have not yet been heard will be transferred to their respective regional circuits once those courts become functional.
Judicial leaders believe the decentralised structure will not only reduce case congestion but also promote a more balanced distribution of workload across the country. By spreading appellate services beyond the capital, the Judiciary hopes to usher in a more efficient, inclusive, and people-centered era of justice.
