Uganda Human Rights Commission Highlights Justice Backlogs During Soroti High Court Open Day.

Soroti, Uganda – The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) has raised concerns over delays in case resolutions and overcrowded prisons during the Soroti High court Open Court Day held at the Soroti High Court grounds on Tuesday.

The event provided a platform for court users to interact directly with judicial officers and raise grievances about the justice system.

Josephine Akello, Regional Human Rights Officer at UHRC, said the commission prioritizes timely access to justice for all Ugandans. “Our priority at the Uganda Human Rights Commission is to ensure that every Ugandan has timely access to justice,” Akelo said.

She expressed concern over the high number of individuals on remand whose cases have remained unresolved since 2022. “Addressing these backlogs is critical to decongesting prisons and upholding the rights of all detainees,” she added, noting that the resident judge at Soroti High Court has pledged to prioritize these cases in upcoming trials.

During the Open Court Day, members of the public raised a variety of issues, including missing case files, delayed case resolutions, and challenges in granting bail.

Akello urged citizens not to wait for special court events to raise complaints, stressing that concerns can be addressed at court supervisory offices, regional ODPP offices, or directly at UHRC.

She reminded the public that the commission’s services are free and accessible via the toll-free line 0800-144-206.

Chief Justice Flavian Zeija also addressed the gathering, acknowledging that prison congestion and delays in case disposal remain significant challenges.

He linked these issues to funding constraints, understaffing, and limited court infrastructure. “The judiciary remains committed to expanding daily hearing sessions and accelerating trials, particularly in criminal matters,” Zeija said.

Akello concluded by urging the judiciary to institutionalize Open Court Days to ensure continuous public engagement, accountability, and feedback from judicial officers. “Access to justice is a right, and we pledge to continue prioritizing interventions that protect and promote this right for every citizen,” she said.

The Open Court Day comes amid ongoing national discussions on improving judicial efficiency and reducing pre-trial detention, as overcrowded prisons continue to strain Uganda’s justice system.