Lawyers push for accountability as confidence in courts declines

Kampala: For years, many Ugandans have quietly lost faith in the country’s justice system. From delayed cases to allegations of corruption and unfair judgments, people are increasingly questioning whether justice in Uganda still serves the ordinary citizen.

According to Afrobarometer Research (2024), Number AD821, on public trust in courts and why many Ugandans have their doubts, almost two-thirds of citizens say they could probably find legal advice (65%) and afford to take a legal problem to court (63%) if necessary.

But fewer think such a case would be resolved fairly (50%) and within a reasonable time period (39%). Only one-third (34%) say they are aware of legal aid services available in their community.

The findings further show that only 28% of citizens would turn to a local court to resolve a legal problem. Most would prefer other options, including the police (25%), a political leader or government official (19%), or a traditional leader or traditional court (15%).

But now, a strong voice from within the legal profession is calling for change and a return to integrity.

Kenneth Muhangi, an advocate with KTA Advocates in Kampala, a member of the Uganda Law Society (ULS), and a lecturer at Uganda Christian University, believes the time has come for lawyers, judges, and justice leaders to rebuild the broken bridge between the people and the judiciary.

“When people start to lose trust in the judiciary, it’s not just a problem for lawyers it’s a crisis for the entire country,” Muhangi said.

He explained that the judiciary is supposed to be the one place where every Ugandan, rich or poor, can find fairness. But with a growing backlog of court cases, reports of bribery, and allegations of favoritism, that trust has slowly eroded.

“There is a sense of apathy among the public when it comes to justice. Many people believe that the system no longer works for them. That is dangerous for a country that depends on the rule of law,” Muhangi added.

Fewer than half (46%) of survey respondents say they trust the courts “somewhat” or “a lot,” down 10 percentage points since 2017. A majority (56%) of citizens say that “most” or “all” judges and magistrates are corrupt, a 13-point rise since 2017.

Muhangi says restoring confidence in the justice system requires honesty and accountability from those who lead it, urging the profession to look inward and ask what can be done better.

One of the biggest challenges, according to him, is access to justice for the poor. Many Ugandans cannot afford legal representation, and that often means they suffer in silence when their rights are violated.

“We need to advance legal aid projects under the Uganda Law Society to offer services to the people. Legal aid should not be a luxury for the few but a right for all,” he said.

He believes that the ULS, as a key player in Uganda’s Justice, Law and Order Sector, should take the lead in promoting this reform.

“We need more legal aid, and I believe it can be funded within the ULS, with support from the government. The Uganda Law Society is central in the justice and legal sector why can’t we lead in funding and supporting these initiatives ourselves?” he asked.

In the Barometer survey, about two-thirds (65%) of Ugandans say people are “often” or “always” treated unequally under the law. Six in ten (61%) say officials who break the law frequently go unpunished.

For Muhangi, the path to restoring trust begins with accountability and inclusion both within the judiciary and the Uganda Law Society itself.

“The restoration of unity will require leaders of ULS to be accountable. We have sections of lawyers who are not represented at all, such as people with disabilities and women. That must change,” he said.

A majority (56%) of respondents say judges and magistrates “often” or “always” decide cases based on the influence of powerful people rather than the law. Ugandans are also divided over the death penalty 50% say it is a fair punishment for serious crimes, while 49% say it is never justified.

The government of Uganda has stated its commitment to promoting access to justice and the rule of law, as highlighted in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 16 (2015). These principles are further reflected in the Administration of the Judiciary Act (2020), the Judiciary Strategic Plan V, and the Judiciary Staff Handbook, among other policy documents.

However, on the World Justice Project’s (2023) Rule of Law Index, Uganda ranks 125th out of 142 countries for rule of law, 115th for civil justice, and 119th for criminal justice.

Moses Mukasa, a lawyer based in Masindi, says there is a need for courage within the profession to stand up against corruption and malpractice wherever it exists.

“We shall name and shame judges that are passing diluted judgments. If a judicial officer is not acting according to the Constitution, they should be called out,” Mukasa said.

He added that accountability is not just about punishment but about setting standards for everyone in the justice sector.

“We need a culture of accountability. We need to be innovative, and we must promote values of demilitarization, decolonization, and fairness,” he emphasized.

In August 2025, the International Justice Mission (IJM) also released a damning report exposing deep-rooted public distrust and systemic failures in Uganda’s criminal justice system particularly in handling cases of violence against women and children.

The “National Baseline Survey,” unveiled to lawyers, paints a troubling picture of an institution hampered by slow investigations, under-resourced law enforcement, and critically low confidence among both the public and justice sector stakeholders.

Do you have an advertisement or article you want to publish? Mail us at theugreports@gmail.com or WhatsApp +256757022363.