Slow case resolution at commercial courts
Secure presidential assent of the Magistrates Courts (Amendment) Bill 2026
Substantially complete or awaiting a final approval step.
Where this stands
Passed by Parliament 26 March 2026; awaiting assent.
Why this reform was agreed
Delayed resolution of commercial cases ties up business capital. Average case resolution takes 18 to 24 months due to limited digitisation and insufficient judges. Business capital tied up in the legal system currently stands at approximately UGX 17 trillion.
Ongoing and planned interventions
MoJCA introduced a new Client Charter and Service Delivery Standards in November 2025 to eliminate unpredictable timelines. UNCCI launched a Dispute Resolution Centre in Kampala in December 2025 to promote arbitration and alternative dispute resolution. MoJCA signed and gazetted Statutory Instrument Supplement No. 1 of 2026 on 19 March 2026, formally establishing mobile courts. The Chief Justice has mandated mediation for all civil matters before formal court proceedings. The Magistrates Courts (Amendment) Bill 2026, passed 26 March 2026, raises magistrates' financial jurisdiction in civil cases from UGX 50 million to UGX 100 million, with Chief Magistrates authorised up to UGX 200 million, positioning them more centrally in commercial disputes.
Progress updates
No progress updates recorded yet
Updates are published as the lead institution confirms movement on this action.