The judiciary has expressed concern over delays in the issuing and gazetting of amendment bills by parliament, despite the proposals having been considered by the Uganda Law Reform Commission and the parliamentary rules committee.
Chief Justice Dr Flavian Zeija, raised the concern on Thursday while speaking to journalists during the opening of the new law year at the Judiciary headquarters in Kampala.
“As we start the new law year, the judiciary has worked with the Law Reform Commission and the rules committee. However, the issuing and gazetting of these instruments is still pending, and this affects the effective administration of justice to Ugandans who deserve timely justice,” Zeija said.
The chief justice revealed that the Magistrates Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2025, was still pending submission to parliament for debate and enactment.
Other instruments awaiting issuing and gazetting include the Judiciary (Court Fees) Rules, 2025, the Constitution (Guidelines for Child-Friendly Standards, Procedures and Practice) Directions, 2025, the Judicature (Court-Annexed Mediation) Rules, 2025, and the Constitution (Operation of Mobile Courts) Practice Directions, 2023.
Zeija said there were also several draft rules and practice directions still under review by the rules committee and the Law Reform Commission.
These include the Judicature (Supreme Court) Amendment Rules, 2025, the Human Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, the Judicature (High Court) (International Crimes Division) Amendment Rules, and the Constitution (High Court Natural Resources, Energy, Environment and Infrastructure Division) Practice Directions, 2025.
Other drafts under review are: the Constitution (Management of Exhibits) Practice Directions and the Judiciary (Cases of Persons with Disabilities) Rules, 2024.
Zeija said the reforms cover the review of the Judicature Act, the Civil Procedure Act, the Government Proceedings Act, the Civil Procedure and Limitation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, the Limitation Act and the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act.
Additional laws undergoing reform include the Local Council Courts Act, the Administration of Estates (Small Estates) (Special Provisions) Act, the Administration of Estates (Small Estates) (Administration) Act, the Administrator General’s Act, and the Civil Procedure Rules.
Others are: the Government Proceedings (Civil Procedure) Rules, the Judicature (Review) Rules, the Habeas Corpus Rules, the Estates (Probate and Administration) Rules, the Administration of Estates of Persons of Unsound Mind Act, and the Criminal Procedure Code Act.
There is: the Evidence Act, the Trial on Indictments Act, the Magistrates Courts Act, the Penal Code Act and the Community Service Act, among others.
