RUKIGA, UGANDA – Uganda’s judiciary has confirmed the rollout of Mobile Courts across the country, a strategic initiative to take legal services directly to local communities.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The announcement was made by the Chief Justice of Uganda, Dr. Flavian Zeija, on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, during the official opening of the new Chief Magistrate’s Court in Rukiga District.
Presiding as chief guest at the ceremony held at the court premises at the Muhanga Town Council headquarters, Chief Justice Zeija underscored the judiciary’s vision to step outside conventional courtrooms.
He further revealed that the judiciary is emphasizing the establishment of more courts nationwide, with Regional Courts of Appeal currently under construction in Mbarara (for the Western region) and Gulu (for the Northern region).
“We are looking at getting court proceedings out of buildings and bringing them to the people. All these efforts are being put in place to ensure we bring justice to local people who find it difficult to trek long distances to courts of law,” said Justice Zeija.
The Rukiga District Speaker, Hon. Akampurira Oscar, stated that the opening of the Rukiga Magistrate’s Court has brought immense relief to the district, which previously relied entirely on the overstretched and backlogged courts in Kabale.
The Speaker added that with a nearby court now in place, local people will save both the time and money they would otherwise spend traveling to distant courts in search of justice.
“This new court is not just a building; it is a bridge. For too long, our people have walked miles to Kabale, spending money they don’t have and losing days they can’t afford. Today, justice is no longer a distant journey. It has finally arrived in Rukiga,” stated Speaker Oscar.
The Rukiga District Police Commander (DPC), SSP Twinomugisha Steven, called for the swift deployment of a state prosecutor to kick-start proceedings.
He explained that police are currently forced to bond many suspects due to severe congestion in holding cells, as well as to avoid detention beyond the stipulated legal period.
The Officer in Charge of Rukiga Government Prisons, PO1 Ochom Julius, reminded the Chief Justice that the new Magistrate’s Court lacks a vital feature: holding cells for prisoners who report to court.
Ochom emphasized that the court will still help deliver local justice and significantly reduce the prolonged remand of people awaiting hearings in distant Kabale.
“We celebrate this court, but we cannot ignore that it is missing its backbone, holding cells. I am confident that this new house of justice will finally cut the distance our people travel and reduce the endless delays that have haunted Kabale for years,” said Ochom Julius.
The Rukiga Magistrate’s Court will begin full operations only after a state attorney is appointed. In the interim, it may handle limited reconciliations between complainants who reach an agreement.
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