Chief Justice Dr Flavian Zeija
The Judiciary has revealed that pending civil cases in Uganda are holding subject matter valued at UGX 14.2 trillion, an amount equivalent to seven percent of Uganda’s 2024 Gross Domestic Product (GDP), underscoring the critical role courts play in unlocking economic growth through timely justice.
The figures place renewed focus on the link between justice delivery and economic performance.
When disputes remain unresolved for years, the courts risk becoming points of economic delay rather than resolution, particularly in commercial and property-related cases where outcomes directly affect investment, credit, and livelihoods.
The scale of the funds tied up in unresolved cases highlights the economic cost of delayed justice. Legal experts note that prolonged court processes can freeze capital, stall investment decisions, and undermine confidence in contract enforcement.
While the Judiciary has made progress in reducing newer cases, the persistence of long-pending disputes raises questions about whether institutional capacity is keeping pace with demand for justice in an expanding economy.
The revelation was made by the Chief Justice, Dr. Flavian Zeija, while launching the Second National Court Case Census Report 2025 at the Supreme Court Conference Hall in Kampala on Thursday.
According to the report, UGX 10.73 trillion of the total value is tied up in cases before the High Court, while UGX 3.36 trillion is held in cases before the Court of Appeal and the Constitutional Court.
Commercial disputes account for the largest share at UGX 1.72 trillion, followed by family-related cases valued at UGX 1.05 trillion.
Small claims cases were valued at UGX 15.77 billion. Chief Justice Zeija noted that resolving these cases would release significant economic resources back into the economy, boost investor confidence, and support national development.
Beyond the financial implications, the census established that Uganda’s courts are grappling with a heavy caseload. The Judiciary recorded 167,353 pending cases across all court levels as of January 12, 2025.
The High Court and Chief Magistrates’ Courts carry the biggest burden, with 70,006 and 64,937 cases respectively. Criminal cases dominate the system with 65,709 cases, followed by civil cases at 44,911 and land-related disputes at 33,496.
While the report shows progress, with 72 percent of cases being less than two years old, it also highlights a persistent backlog. At least 2,327 cases have been pending for over a decade, mainly in the High Court and Chief Magistrates’ Courts. Regionally, the Central Region has the highest backlog at 16,224 cases, while the Northern Region has the lowest at 3,915.
The census further reveals significant pressure on judicial officers, each handling an average of 305 pending cases and 85 backlog cases, with the Court of Appeal and High Court recording the highest workload ratios.
Chief Justice Zeija emphasized that the census marks a shift toward data-driven justice administration, moving away from assumptions to evidence-based reforms.
He announced that court case censuses will now be institutionalized as a regular exercise to track progress, guide reforms, and promote accountability. He also stressed the growing use of digital systems such as the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS) and the Court Case Administration System (CCAS), which were instrumental in conducting the census across both digitized and non-digitized courts.
The Chief Justice commended Judiciary leadership, the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, and court staff countrywide for producing what he described as a landmark report that strengthens transparency, efficiency, and public confidence in Uganda’s justice system.
The 2025 National Court Case Census is the second of its kind, conducted ten years after the inaugural census in 2015, and provides the most comprehensive snapshot yet of the state of justice delivery in Uganda. Speaking at the same function, the Principal Judge, Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, said the census report is a critical tool that brings clarity to the Judiciary’s case management system.
She noted that the report clearly shows what cases exist, how old they are, and where delays are concentrated, enabling the Judiciary to identify problem areas and plan focused interventions.
Justice Abodo said the findings allow the Judiciary to make informed decisions on workload management, deployment of judicial officers, and allocation of resources, rather than relying on assumptions.
According to her, the report delivers three key messages: the existence of many old and long-pending cases requiring urgent attention; delays occurring at specific stages of court proceedings; and the need for strong early case management to improve case disposal rates.
She emphasized that the real value of the census lies in how its findings are applied, calling for prioritization of old cases, targeted backlog clearance initiatives, and strengthened early case management from the moment a case is filed. She also called for more strategic deployment of judicial and administrative resources.
The Acting Chief Registrar, Pamela Lamunu Ocaya, said the census goes beyond statistics, providing a clear picture of court workloads, case backlogs, operational gaps, and systemic inefficiencies.
She noted that the report will serve as a key management and policy tool, guiding judicial deployment, resource allocation, and reforms in line with the Judiciary Strategic Plan and government goals for efficient and accountable institutions.
The Chief Registrar commended the leadership of Chief Justice Emeritus Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo, Deputy Chief Justice Emeritus Justice Richard Buteera, the Judiciary Case Management Committee, the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, and Judiciary staff nationwide for their role in completing the census.
The launch, presided over by Chief Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija, was attended by senior judicial officers, stakeholders, and development partners supporting the Judiciary.
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