Kampala, Uganda — The Judiciary has embarked on early preparations for the National Court Open Day 2026, with a meeting of the Organising Committee chaired by Principal Judge Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo.
The Open Day, scheduled for August 25, 2026, aims to enhance transparency, strengthen public engagement, and improve public understanding of court services and processes. The theme proposed for the event is “Justice that Works: Inclusive, Efficient and Trusted”.
Lady Justice Abodo emphasized the need for better coordination, balanced planning, and increased impact.
She urged members to align their preparations and generate theme proposals that reflect the Judiciary’s transformation.
The Acting Chief Registrar, HW Lamunu Pamella Ocaya, applauded the team for the commitment demonstrated during the previous Open Day, noting that its success was achieved under significant time constraints.
She emphasized that the extended preparation period for the 2026 event should be used strategically to enhance outcomes, not to slow momentum.
She also highlighted the need to constitute functional sub-committees to drive the planning process and raised concerns about the suitability of Kololo Ceremonial Grounds as a venue, citing potential scheduling conflicts with national activities.
She urged the team to explore alternative venues to ensure seamless execution.
Contributing to the discussion, the Registrar Planning, Research and Development, HW John Paul Edoku, noted that Kololo Ceremonial Grounds offers reliable power infrastructure, a critical factor for the event’s technical needs.
He proposed that a technical team be constituted to inspect potential venues, including Kololo, the Law Development Centre, and Makerere University, to assess their suitability.
The Public Relations Officer and Registrar of the Communications and Public Relations Registry, HW James Ereemye Jumire Mawanda, emphasized the importance of selecting a compelling and relatable theme that resonates with both the institution and the public.
He also called for better structuring of public engagement segments, particularly question-and-answer sessions, to ensure they remain constructive and aligned with the objectives of the Open Day.
The meeting highlighted the importance of incorporating interactive engagements, on-the-spot legal guidance, and simplified demonstrations of court processes to deepen public understanding.
