By Willy Chowoo
In Uganda, where delayed justice often hampers fair outcomes due to a shortage of judicial officers, city lawyer Elison Karuhanga is championing reforms to expedite case resolutions. Karuhanga, a candidate for one of two Uganda Law Society (ULS) representative seats on the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), proposes appointing senior lawyers as temporary judicial officers to tackle the growing case backlog.
The ULS is poised to elect its representatives to the JSC for the first time since 1995. This follows the 2024 recall of unelected representatives Ruth Sebatindira and Norah Matovu by ULS President Isaac Ssemakadde. Under Regulation 13 of the Uganda Law Society (Election) Regulation 2016, representatives to the JSC must be elected by ULS members.
The JSC is a statutory body mandated to appoint magistrates and advise the President on appointing judges to the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court. Karuhanga asserts that Uganda’s pool of over 5,000 lawyers can fill the judicial void, ensuring quicker and fairer access to justice.
“There are too few judges everywhere, but we, the lawyers, are a reserve of justice. Let us be utilized efficiently and wisely,” he said during a campaign tour in Acholi. Karuhanga is competing against 13 other candidates for the two available seats.
The Case Backlog Crisis
The country’s judiciary struggles with a staggering backlog of cases, despite some progress. Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo Chigamoy reported in October 2024 that during the previous financial year, case backlog reduced slightly by 372 cases (0.87%). Courts resolved 239,431 cases out of a caseload of 401,269. However, 161,838 cases remain pending, with 45,588 of them classified as backlogs—cases unresolved for two or more years.
Karuhanga believes senior lawyers could serve as “clearing and forwarding agents” for the courts by handling cases on a temporary basis. “Instead of transferring judges from Gulu to Masindi, senior lawyers could act as mission-based judges. This solution is already provided for under Uganda’s Constitution,” he explained.
Karuhanga’s platform includes enhancing the process for appointing judges and magistrates. He also aims to combat corruption within the judiciary. “Our representation at the JSC will strengthen the system for selecting judicial officers and address key issues like corruption,” he noted.
Election Controversy and Court Injunction
The ULS’s plans to hold elections faced a legal hurdle when the High Court in Kampala issued a temporary injunction in December 2023. Justice Musa Ssekaana halted the election process and suspended the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) scheduled for December 17, 2024.
Despite this, Karuhanga remains optimistic. “There is no permanent injunction on democracy. It’s like reggae music—nobody can stop reggae. Eventually, ULS will select its representatives and send them to the President,” he said.
Karuhanga’s campaign underscores a critical need for innovative reforms to address Uganda’s judicial backlog, promising fair and speedy trials as enshrined in the Constitution.
