The Case Management Committee held its inaugural meeting at the Court of Appeal Conference Hall.
The meeting was chaired by the Deputy Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Richard Buteera.
In his remarks, the DCJ noted that the purpose of the meeting was to brainstorm on how the Committee can move forward in performing its duties. He emphasized the need for the Committee to develop a work plan and called upon members to actively contribute.
The Chief Registrar, HW Sarah Langa Siu, who also serves as the Secretary of the Committee, provided a background on the Committee. She noted that it is intended to serve as an umbrella organization for committees such as the District Chain-linked Committees (DCCs)and the Regional Chain-linked Committees (RCCs), with the goal of institutionalizing these Committees.
HW Langa also added that the establishment of the Case Management Committee as the overarching body for these committees is a significant step forward. In attendance were various Judicial Officers including the Principal Judge, Hon. Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija, Hon. Justice Cheborion Barishaki (Justice Court of Appeal), and Hon. Lady Justice Jane Okuo(High Court).
Also present were stakeholders, including the Director of Public Prosecutions, Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo,Mr. Bernard Oundo (President Uganda Law Society) as well as representatives from other justice institutions.
The Under Secretary, Ms. Maureen Kasande, Prof. Andrew Khaukha (Judiciary Technical Advisor) and Mr. David Sunday Kikabi (Head ICT department) were also in attendance. The Case Management Committee is established under The Administration of the Judiciary (Establishment of Committees) Regulations, 2023 which were enacted under Article 133(1)(b) of the Constitution and Sections 6, 7(4) and 40 of the Administration of the Judiciary Act, 2020.
The Committee is responsible for studying the challenges to effective delivery of justice and advising on appropriate strategies to address the challenges, conducting research, consultations and benchmarking with a view to establishing best practices and policies on Alternative Dispute Resolution, case backlog clearance and case management for the Judiciary and advising the Chief Justice on performance enhancement strategies across the courts.
Additionally, it is responsible for promoting communication, cooperation and coordination among the justice service stakeholders, initiating proposals and reforms geared towards easing access to justice through the adoption of quick, cheap and convenient processes of dispute settlement and overseeing the use and implementation of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms by courts, making recommendations and proposing relevant reforms among other functions.