The United Nations Development Programme, in partnership with the Embassy of the Netherlands in Uganda, has installed a video conferencing system linking Kitgum High Court to Kitgum Main Prison and Lamwo Prison, in a move aimed at reducing Uganda’s 202,005 pending cases and cutting delays caused by prisoner transport.
In her remarks read during the launch by Justice Philip Willebrord Mwaka, the Kitgum High Court Resident Judge, Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, the Principal Judge, said the technology marks a shift from traditional courtrooms to digital platforms designed to improve accessibility and efficiency.
The Kitgum High Court Circuit covers Kitgum High Court, Kitgum Chief Magistrate’s Court, Lamwo Grade 1 Magistrate’s Court, and Karenga Grade 1 Magistrate’s Court, which is yet to be operationalized.
The launch was witnessed by Bouwe-Jan Smeding, the Ambassador of the Netherlands to Uganda and Mwanne Vwede-Obahor, the UNDP Resident Representative to Uganda.
Suzanne Musooli Asia, the Kitgum High Court Registrar, says the video link will directly benefit residents of both districts as it will help in ensuring that justice is served timely and effectively to people in Kitgum and Lamwo districts.
According to the data from Kitgum High Court Circuit, as of the end of March 2026, the Judiciary had 202,005 pending cases, of which 51,199 or 25.35% are classified as backlog, meaning they have been in the system beyond the recommended time.
By Opoka Denis
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