Masaka Lawyers' Strike Deemed Premature by Deputy Chief Justice

Strike Action Labeled Unnecessary

Deputy Chief Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija has condemned the Masaka Lawyers Guild for commencing a sit-down strike prior to formal discussions with judicial authorities. Dr. Zeija declared the industrial action, protesting insufficient judicial staffing in Masaka, both unnecessary and premature. He specifically criticized strike organizers for bypassing established communication protocols before mobilizing members.

Grievances and Demands

Lawyers under the Masaka High Court Circuit initiated their boycott on Thursday, citing chronic case delays resulting from a critical shortage of judges. Guild Chairperson Alexander Lule announced members would abstain from court until the Judiciary deploys at least two additional judges and another High Court Registrar to expedite case hearings. Lule emphasized that the current single judge handles a jurisdiction spanning nine districts, rendering the court capable of managing less than 25% of its workload.

Judicial Response and Planned Deployment

Dr. Zeija, the immediate former Principal Judge, dismissed the strike as unwarranted, insisting dialogue should precede such measures. He revealed Masaka High Court is already prioritized in ongoing judicial deployments, with a second judge expected next month. Justice Victoria Nakintu Nkwanga, previously assigned to Masaka, is scheduled to conclude her study leave and assume duties shortly.

Lawyers Defend Strike Amid Systemic Issues

Advocate Salimat Mutale countered the DCJ's stance, arguing persistent justice system failures necessitated the action. She accused the Judiciary of ignoring public outcry over endless adjournments and unresolved cases. Mutale highlighted a backlog of 415 family-related cases at Masaka High Court, warning this exacerbates domestic violence. She also expressed concern that the judge shortage jeopardizes the Austrian Development Agency's Justice4Her Program, designed to aid GBV survivors.

Roland Muwezi of Basasha and Company Advocates stressed the strike reflects broader public suffering: "This isn't about lawyers' interests, but the denial of timely justice to citizens."