KAMPALA – The Law Development Centre (LDC) Court held its inaugural Open Day in Wandegeya, Kampala, on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, as part of ongoing efforts to enhance public access to justice services.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The event, presided over by the Chief Registrar, Her Worship Agnes Alum, and attended by notable judicial officers, police commanders, legal practitioners, and law students, was held under the theme, “Justice that Listens, Serves and Resolves.”
The Open Day, part of the Judiciary’s activities to commemorate Africa Public Service Day, aimed to enhance public understanding of court processes and strengthen confidence in the administration of justice.
Despite the day’s focus on service and transparency, the proceedings were significantly overshadowed by overwhelming complaints from members of the public alleging endemic bribery within the Uganda Police Force.
Several participants courageously shared personal experiences of corruption during interactive sessions, including Nakayanja Ketty Nalongo, who alleged that police officers demanded one million shillings for her son’s release.
She claimed to have paid two hundred thousand shillings, but her son was nevertheless remanded to Luzira Prison on charges she believes he did not commit.
A female reverend also attempted to raise a similar concern regarding bribery but was advised to submit her complaint in writing due to the session’s time constraints.
Other participants alleged that officers routinely demand money before making arrests, sanctioning case files, or granting police bonds.
The Chairperson of women in Kagugube Village specifically claimed she was asked to pay money before a bond could be granted to individuals she had gone to assist.
The allegations triggered a tense exchange with Wandegeya Police Commander SP David Ndaula, who dismissed claims of institutionalised corruption, drawing boos and jeers from the audience.
Delivering her address, Chief Registrar Agnes Alum reaffirmed the Judiciary’s dedication to transparency, accountability, and responsiveness, while also spotlighting ongoing reforms.
She noted that recent amendments to the Magistrates Courts Act have expanded the financial jurisdiction of lower courts, effectively decentralising judicial services and relieving congestion at the High Court.
“The effect of this is that several cases now in the High Court shall be moved for disposal to the magistrates’ courts, which are more geographically accessible and have more judicial officers,” Alum explained.
LDC Court Chief Magistrate, His Worship Timothy Lumunye, revealed that the court has registered 754 cases since January, disposed of 581 cases, and currently has 641 pending matters, including a backlog of 58 cases.
He attributed much of the court’s progress to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms such as mediation, which have significantly improved case disposal.
Meanwhile, the Manager of the LDC Legal Aid Clinic, Lydia Namuli, described the institution as a unique partnership between the Judiciary and the Law Development Centre.
She underscored that all services provided through the student clinic are completely free and issued a stern warning to the public against paying anyone for assistance that is rightfully available at no cost.
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