Judiciary Commissions First Speed Court Boat to Improve Access to Justice in Kalangala
By Skika reporter
The Judiciary of Uganda has commissioned its first-ever speed boat to enhance access to justice in island communities of Kalangala District, marking a major step in addressing longstanding transport challenges on Lake Victoria.
The 10-seater vessel is expected to ease the movement of judicial officers across Kalangala’s 84 islands, where difficult and costly water transport has for years hindered court operations and limited access to legal services.
Speaking during the commissioning, the Chief Magistrate of Kalangala, Hallelujah Gloria, said the district’s geographical challenges have restricted judicial outreach.
“The geographical location of this area has limited us to only a few islands. We have been using risky open boats, but now with this new vessel, we are confident in extending justice services,” she said.
The launch was presided over by Flavian Zeija, who described the initiative as a transformative move toward bridging the justice gap in hard-to-reach communities.
“This is not just a boat; it is a floating bridge for justice for people living on the islands of Lake Victoria,” he said.
Justice Zeija highlighted the high cost of accessing courts, noting that some residents travel from distant islands such as Mazinga near the Tanzania border, spending up to Shs800,000 to seek justice.
He also revealed that the Judiciary has introduced a legal framework allowing mobile courts, enabling judicial officers to conduct sessions outside traditional courtrooms.
“The law now allows us to deliver justice beyond the courtroom, especially in unique areas like islands,” he added.
However, local leaders raised concerns about the sustainability of the new vessel due to high operational costs.
Kalangala Resident District Commissioner, Fred Badda, warned that fuel expenses could hinder its effectiveness.
“This boat consumes about 300 litres of fuel. We have seen good boats before become useless due to lack of fuel,” he said.
Kalangala LC5 Chairperson, Rajab Ssemakula, echoed the concern, cautioning against the risk of the project turning into a “white elephant” if not properly funded.
In response, the Judiciary’s Permanent Secretary, Pius Bigirimana, assured stakeholders that operational costs, including fuel, would be catered for.
“Having a boat without fuel is like having a child without milk. We shall ensure consistent funding so that it remains operational,” he said, adding that plans are underway to acquire a larger vessel in the future.
Victoria Nakintu noted that her jurisdiction covers several hard-to-reach districts and expressed optimism that the new boat will improve service delivery.
Meanwhile, Masaka Regional Police Commander East, Gad Murungi, said the improved mobility will also enhance security operations, enabling law enforcement to pursue suspects who hide on remote islands.
Principal Judge Jane Frances Abodo called for increased accountability among judicial officers, urging more court sessions and faster case handling to reduce backlog.
The commissioning of the speed boat represents a significant milestone in efforts to decentralise judicial services and ensure that justice is accessible to all Ugandans, regardless of geographical barriers.
