Netherlands Embassy, Judiciary discuss justice sector support and case Backlog
Mr Smeding paid a courtesy visit to the Deputy Chief Justice at the Court of Appeal in Kampala, accompanied by Netherlands Embassy Governance Advisor Ms Grace Babihuga
The Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Uganda, Mr Bouwe-Jan Smeding, has held discussions with Deputy Chief JustMoses Kazibwe Kawumi on strengthening cooperation in the justice sector.
Mr Smeding paid a courtesy visit to the Deputy Chief Justice at the Court of Appeal in Kampala, accompanied by Netherlands Embassy Governance Advisor Ms Grace Babihuga
During the meeting, Mr Smeding highlighted the long-standing partnership between the Netherlands Embassy and Uganda’s judiciary, noting that the cooperation has supported initiatives aimed at improving access to justice and strengthening justice administration.
He cited ongoing projects supported by the embassy, including the construction of a court in Terego and a Gender-Based Violence Centre in Nsambya, Kampala. He also identified remand homes as a potential area for future support, stressing the need to improve rehabilitation and living conditions for children in conflict with the law.
The Netherlands envoy also raised concerns about case backlog, pointing to plea bargaining as one of the interventions that could help speed up the disposal of criminal cases. He, however, stressed the need for proper preparation and competence among judicial officers and state attorneys to ensure the process protects the interests of justice.
Mr Smeding said the Netherlands would continue aligning its justice sector support with Uganda’s national priorities through annual planning and funding arrangements.
He further highlighted broader areas of cooperation between the two countries, including agriculture, refugee response, trade, investment, sexual and reproductive health rights, and private-sector development.
Responding, Deputy Chief Justice Kazibwe appreciated the partnership and highlighted progress made by the judiciary in improving case management and addressing gender-related justice challenges.
On plea bargaining, Justice Kazibwe emphasised the need for justice actors to thoroughly study case files before negotiations to ensure proper handling of cases and protection of accused persons’ rights.
He also pointed to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as a key tool in reducing case backlog, especially in civil matters, by allowing parties to resolve disputes outside lengthy court processes.
