The Chief Justice, Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija, has commissioned the Kabale Regional Office of the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, calling on staff assigned to the facility to uphold integrity, professionalism, and commitment to public service. The commissioning ceremony was attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including judicial officers, representatives from the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, the Uganda Police Force, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the Uganda Prisons Service, advocates, as well as district and religious leaders.
In his remarks, the Chief Justice described the occasion as more than the opening of a physical structure, noting that it represents a significant step in the decentralization of legal services and the advancement of the rule of law in the Kigezi sub-region. He emphasized that the Constitution mandates the exercise of judicial power in the name of the people, a responsibility that requires legal services to be accessible and responsive to the needs of citizens.
Justice Zeija observed that the establishment of the regional office addresses longstanding barriers of distance, noting that it will serve as a critical conduit for timely legal advisory services to local governments, enhance the quality of administrative decision-making, and reduce avoidable litigation. Reflecting on his earlier service as a Circuit Judge at Mbarara High Court, he recalled the strain on the limited number of State Attorneys who previously served the entire western region. He welcomed the expansion of services to Kabale, noting that improved staffing will ease the workload and enhance service delivery.
The Chief Justice further linked the development to the Judiciary’s broader transformation agenda, which includes the establishment of additional High Court circuits and the operationalization of magisterial areas. He emphasized that the efficiency of the Bench is closely tied to the capacity and presence of the Bar, particularly State Attorneys, whose role is essential in ensuring effective representation of Government interests.
He noted that the presence of the Attorney General’s Chambers in Kabale will facilitate prompt filing of pleadings, ensure consistent attendance of State Attorneys in court, promote early settlement of disputes involving Government, and safeguard public resources within the local jurisdiction. Justice Zeija commended the Ministry and the Attorney General for aligning their expansion efforts with the National Development Plan and the Judiciary Strategic Plan VI, stressing that coordinated institutional efforts are key to building a seamless, responsive, and accountable justice system.
Addressing staff who will man the office, the Chief Justice highlighted the weight of their responsibility as representatives of the Government’s legal conscience in the region. He urged them to uphold high standards of ethics, integrity, diligence, and transparency.
“You are the face of the Government’s legal conscience in this region. Let this Office be known for its transparency and commitment to the public good,” he stated. In his remarks, Justice Karoli Lwanga Ssemogerere noted that the establishment of the regional office responds to a demonstrated need for Ministry of Justice services in the region. He highlighted the growing collaboration between the Kabale High Court and the regional office, noting that it has already yielded positive results, particularly in the promotion of Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms such as Mediation.
The Deputy Solicitor General, Mr. Charles Ouma, revealed that the Ministry’s Strategic Plan (2025–2030) provides for the establishment of five new regional offices in Kabale, Hoima, Masaka, Iganga, and Lira during the Financial Year 2025/2026. He noted that the Kabale office is the first to be commissioned, marking a significant milestone for the Kigezi region
