KAMPALA, Uganda | Dr Flavian Zeija, the deputy chief justice, has criticised the Masaka lawyers for resorting to a sit-down strike before formally discussing their complaints with the judiciary.

 Dr Zeija responded to the lawyers’ continuous industrial action by calling the strike premature and needless and blaming its leaders for not using the appropriate channels of communication before organising their members.

“Now that is a problem of lawyers not coordinating with the administration. For example, before you go on a strike, I would have first expected them to write a formal complaint either to the chief justice or to the principal judge, but there is no such communication. I only see in the press that they have gone on strike. My view is I think that is a very wrong approach,” Zeija added

He further disclosed that a second judge is anticipated to report for duty next month and that Masaka High Court has already been considered for reinforcement in the most recent judicial deployment.

Zeija dismissed the strike as uncalled for, insisting that the lawyers should have sought dialogue before taking drastic action. He added that Justice Victoria Nakintu Nkwanga, who was assigned to Masaka, has been on study leave but will be returning soon to resume her duties. 

Lawyers working for the Masaka High Court Circuit announced an industrial action on Thursday of last week in protest of the acute judge shortage, which they claim has resulted in ongoing delays in the administration of justice.

Through their chairperson, Alexander Lule, they demanded the deployment of additional judges and a deputy or assistant registrar to the high court circuit of Masaka to address the soaring case backlog and ensure the efficient administration of justice.

According to Lule, there are 4290 cases in the Masaka region’s High Court circuit, including 1188 pending land cases, 1141 pending civil cases, and 455 pending family cases. The court’s inability to effectively operate due to a shortage of judges has made the backlog of cases worse.

The lawyers further warned that the strike shall continue until their demands are met and the necessary measures are taken to address the case backlog, especially in the High Court Circuit of Masaka.