Judiciary expands small claims procedure to Nakapiripirit and Mukuju Courts

The Judiciary has expanded the implementation of the Small Claims Procedure (SCP) to Nakapiripirit and Mukuju Magistrates’ Courts, bringing the number of courts offering the service across the country to 236.

The rollout, conducted by the Small Claims Procedure Registry under the coordination of Assistant Registrar at the Commercial Division, Her Worship Mastula Mulondo, is part of efforts to improve access to affordable and speedy commercial justice for Ugandans.

The team, supported by Her Worship Joanita Muwanika, a Magistrate at the Law Development Centre (LDC) Court, also held stakeholder engagements and public sensitisation sessions to create awareness about the procedure and encourage citizens to use the service.

The Small Claims Procedure provides a simplified and cost-effective way of resolving commercial disputes involving claims of up to Shs10 million. It allows individuals and small businesses to settle monetary disputes faster without undergoing lengthy and costly ordinary civil litigation processes.

At Nakapiripirit Magistrates’ Court, the programme was officially launched by HW Mulondo alongside the Officer in Charge of Station, HW Omara Joseph Sabiti.

The Deputy Resident District Commissioner for Nakapiripirit, Ms Ajilong Bessie Modestor, praised the Judiciary for extending the service to the district, saying it would promote access to justice and help minimise commercial conflicts among residents.

Ms Ajilong, who shared her personal experience with the SCP, encouraged especially low-income earners to embrace the initiative as a reliable avenue for resolving small financial disputes. She also called on residents to remain focused on security, education, food security and health.

The Nakapiripirit District Chairperson, Mr Lokiru Lolim Simon Peter, welcomed the programme and urged residents to maintain peace during the upcoming Local Council elections.

The outreach later moved to Mukuju Magistrates’ Court, where the launch was hosted by Principal Magistrate Her Worship Elijah Iradikunda.

HW Iradikunda thanked local leaders for their cooperation with the Judiciary, noting that the introduction of the Small Claims Procedure would improve court efficiency by allowing eligible cases to be handled through a simplified process and reduce the workload on the court.

The Deputy Resident District Commissioner for Tororo, Ms Twaheel Mpalanyi, who officiated at the Mukuju launch, commended the Judiciary for taking justice services closer to communities.

She urged the Judiciary to extend future sensitisation activities to sub-counties so that more people can understand court processes and benefit from the Small Claims Procedure. She also pledged continued support from her office towards the programme’s success in Mukuju.

The launches were attended by judicial officers including HW David Wanda of Tororo Municipal Court and HW Akena Junior of Nagongera Magistrates’ Court.

The expansion of the SCP to Nakapiripirit and Mukuju reflects the Judiciary’s commitment to making justice more accessible, affordable and efficient. With 236 courts now implementing the programme, the initiative continues to reduce the time and costs associated with resolving low-value commercial disputes.

The Small Claims Procedure Registry is expected to conclude its ongoing outreach activities with a quarterly review meeting at the end of July 2026.