Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo has urged judges handling election petitions to meet legal deadlines, maintain courtroom discipline and protect their well-being as they manage a demanding workload.
Principal Judge Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo has urged judicial officers handling election petitions to adhere to strict timelines, maintain order in court and safeguard their well-being amid the demanding workload associated with resolving electoral disputes.
Justice Abodo made the call during an inspection of Lugazi High Court on Monday, where she assessed progress in hearing election petitions and discussed working conditions and operational challenges with judicial officers and support staff.
She said the visit was intended to assess the progress of the hearings, check on judges assigned to handle the petitions and appreciate their service during a demanding period.
Justice Abodo acknowledged that the hearings had started later than anticipated because of funding challenges but reiterated the Judiciary’s commitment to completing the exercise within the prescribed timelines.
She tasked judicial officers with providing regular updates on the number of petitions being handled to support planning and resource allocation. She also urged them to promptly report cases likely to exceed the two-week allocation.
Describing the handling of election petitions as a national duty, the Principal Judge thanked the judges for accepting the assignments alongside their existing workloads, noting that resolving electoral disputes has significant implications for public confidence and stability.
She commended the host court and registry staff for accommodating visiting judges despite limited space, saying their willingness to share chambers and other facilities demonstrated collegiality and commitment to the administration of justice.
Justice Abodo was received by Lady Justice Dr Winifred Nabisinde, Lady Justice Sarah Langa Siu and the court’s Assistant Registrar, Her Worship Dorothy Kyampaire, among other judicial officers.
On courtroom management, she urged judges to maintain order, regulate attendance according to available seating capacity and work closely with security personnel. She noted that the court’s location within a busy market required heightened vigilance.
She directed that proceedings should not be livestreamed and discouraged the use of mobile phones in court, urging judicial officers to use notebooks instead. She also emphasised proper witness management to prevent witnesses from listening to one another’s testimony before giving their own evidence.
The Principal Judge further urged judges to manage the heightened emotions that often accompany election disputes while maintaining firm, fair and orderly proceedings.
Beyond the conduct of hearings, Justice Abodo raised concerns about the toll the exercise was taking on judicial officers, acknowledging that some were working beyond normal hours and over weekends to meet demanding deadlines.
She encouraged them to protect time for rest, adhere to weekday cause lists and avoid routinely allowing advocates’ emergencies to disrupt court schedules.
She also urged judicial officers to use available wellness facilities and create opportunities to support one another, observing that judicial work can be isolating and emotionally demanding.
Justice Abodo underscored the importance of continuous learning, professional humility and allowing the law to guide the fair determination of disputes.
Recognising the contribution of registry and support staff, she said their logistical and administrative assistance remained critical to the election petition exercise and thanked them for their commitment despite operational constraints.
She also announced that the Lugazi team would be included in a group of judicial officers who share daily devotions, case law and professional experiences to promote learning, collegiality and wellness.
During the interaction, staff raised concerns about welfare, working conditions and logistical challenges. Justice Abodo welcomed their openness and pledged to follow up on the issues raised and provide feedback.
She also indicated that she would undertake more field visits to better understand the conditions under which judicial officers and support staff operate at different court stations.