Zeija Meets UJOA Leadership on Collaboration and Welfare

Zeija Meets UJOA Leadership on Collaboration and Welfare
Africa-Press – Uganda. The Chief Justice, Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija, met with members of the Executive of the Uganda Judicial Officers Association (UJOA) at the Judiciary Headquarters in Kampala to discuss leadership, staff welfare, and strategies for strengthening collaboration between the Judiciary administration and judicial officers.
During the meeting, Justice Zeija commended UJOA for maintaining sustained dialogue with the Judiciary and encouraged officers to embrace the institution’s ongoing digital transformation agenda. He highlighted the successful transition to a paperless system at the Court of Appeal as evidence of the Judiciary’s capacity to adapt to change and called for continued support for modernization efforts across the judicial system.
“Many disputes can be concluded through mediation, reducing case backlog and minimizing the number of appeals,” he said, emphasizing the importance of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in improving efficiency.
On staff welfare, Justice Zeija acknowledged the demanding and often stressful nature of judicial work, encouraging officers to participate in wellness activities such as aerobics and other fitness programs. He welcomed the proposal to establish a Judicial Officers’ Rotary Club, describing it as a positive initiative for promoting health, wellness, and collegiality within the profession.
Justice Zeija also expressed support for regional engagements with judicial officers, which he said are vital for understanding and responding to the unique challenges in different parts of the country. Regarding infrastructure, he outlined ongoing efforts to improve working conditions, including the construction of court buildings with residential accommodation for both judicial and non-judicial staff, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.
Addressing concerns over institutional support to UJOA, Justice Zeija explained that existing legal and policy limitations make direct funding difficult, as the Association is structured as a private entity. He noted that alternative support avenues, including corporate social responsibility initiatives, could be explored depending on resources and further discussions by Top Management.
On membership dues, the Chief Justice said that deduction at source is technically possible but subject to legal requirements, particularly individual consent. He also clarified that provision of vehicles for judicial officers, aside from judges, remains constrained by limited resources, with priority given to hard-to-reach areas.
Benefits such as fuel allowances and housing, Justice Zeija explained, are tied to terms of appointment, and any review would need to align with broader salary and policy processes.
In her remarks, Lady Justice Olive Kazaarwe Mukwaya, President of UJOA, highlighted challenges in collecting member dues, especially procedural difficulties around deductions at source, and requested the Chief Justice’s support in resolving the matter.
She also briefed him on UJOA’s follow-up regarding government pledges to provide a vehicle, requested support for Uganda’s obligations to the East African Magistrates and Judges Association (EAMJA), and invited him to officiate at UJOA’s leadership dialogue on 25 April 2026 and attend the Annual General Meeting on 9 May.
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