The judiciary has set a target of Shs 4.1 trillion to implement its sixth strategic plan.
Speaking to journalists during the opening of the new law year at the judiciary headquarters in Kampala, Chief Justice Flavian Zeija said Strategic Plan VI will cover the period from the 2025/26 to the 2029/30 financial years and will define the judiciary’s priorities and interventions over the next five years.
“I am leading the implementation of the judiciary Strategic Plan VI together with top management, where we shall be delegating specific roles and responsibilities to courts, registries, departments and units,” Zeija said.
He explained that the plan is anchored on key strategic objectives, including improving court processes and case management, enhancing equitable access to judicial services, and strengthening the policy, legal and institutional capacity of the judiciary.
These objectives, he said, will guide all strategic interventions and resource allocations during the plan period.
Zeija, who has previously served as principal judge and deputy chief justice, said the new strategic plan will prioritise integrated interventions aimed at improving service delivery and overall institutional performance.
Among the key interventions is digital transformation, including the rollout and optimisation of the Electronic Court Case Management Integrated System and other related information and communication technology platforms.
The plan also focuses on reducing case backlog through improved case management, recruitment and deployment of staff, provision of research support, specialised case handling, expansion of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms and strengthened supervision.
The judiciary also plans to expand and modernise its infrastructure through the construction of courts, institutional housing and archives, as well as the deployment of mobile courts to underserved areas. Other priorities include human resource development, integrity enhancement and improvement of staff welfare.
The plan further seeks to strengthen access to justice for vulnerable and marginalised groups through legal aid services, outreach programmes and public awareness initiatives, alongside institutional strengthening in policy development, planning, monitoring and evaluation, statistics, audit, risk management and stakeholder coordination.
The total estimated cost of implementing Strategic Plan VI over the five-year period is Shs 4.13 trillion, to be financed mainly through government appropriations and support from development partners.
However, Zeija said the medium-term expenditure framework projections currently stand at Shs 2.5 trillion, leaving a funding gap of Shs 1.5 trillion.
He noted that bridging the gap will require enhanced resource mobilisation, prioritisation of interventions, efficiency improvements and stronger partnerships.
