Lawyers in Masaka have paused their ongoing sit-down strike following firm assurances from the Judiciary to tackle chronic understaffing and a mounting backlog of cases at the Masaka High Court circuit.
The temporary suspension comes after intense negotiations involving senior Judiciary officials and the region’s Radical New Bar.
The protest, which commenced on June 12, reflected deep frustration over “chronic case backlog and gross understaffing” conditions that left thousands across Masaka’s ten districts stuck in protracted legal limbo.
The situation prompted a high-level intervention by Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, Principal Judge Dr. Flavian Zeija, and Uganda Law Society leadership.
In a joint closed-door session last week, the Judiciary engaged directly with the Radical New Bar to address the mounting crisis a meeting that lawyers said paved the way for a breakthrough.
On Thursday, June 26, Masaka Bar Chairperson Alexander Lule confirmed the strike’s suspension.
He referred to a Judiciary press release dated June 25, which outlined immediate remedial measures: deployment of visiting judges to Masaka and an increase in the number of court sessions aimed at reducing backlog.
Yet Lule cautioned that much work remains:
“We acknowledge the efforts, but much more must be done to resolve the deep-rooted backlog and resource constraints affecting the Masaka region, home to over two million people.”
The legal fraternity is now pushing for long-term reforms, including the appointment of at least 12 resident judges and five registrars, full implementation of the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS), and swift resolution of internal cases within the Uganda Law Society and Judicial Service Commission.
Lule further criticized internal inefficiencies:
“If our top three leaders were active in office, communication and coordination with the Judiciary would have been smoother.”
The strike suspension coincides with the scheduled goodwill visit by Acting Principal Judge Lady Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga on Monday, June 30. She is expected to meet with court users and legal professionals on-site to assess progress and chart further action.
“We commend the Judiciary’s responsiveness and look forward to a conclusive agreement that could bring a permanent end to the strike,” Lule concluded.
The Masaka High Court circuit, serving over two million residents, has long struggled with delays in criminal, land, and civil case adjudication due to insufficient judicial staffing a challenge the latest measures hope to remedy.
