The Judiciary has established eight Court of Appeal Circuits across the country in a major reform aimed at bringing appellate justice closer to the people, reducing case backlog, shortening appeal timelines, and lowering the cost of accessing justice.
The reform is also intended to decongest the Court of Appeal in Kampala and improve efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of justice nationwide.
The development follows last year’s legal notice issued by Chief Justice Emeritus, Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo, pursuant to Article 133(1)(b) of the Constitution, on October 30, 2025.
Under the new arrangement, the Court of Appeal will now sit in Arua, Fort Portal, Gulu, Jinja, Masaka, Mbale, Mbarara, and Mubende, enabling advocates and litigants to access appellate services closer to their regions of residence and practice.
According to the Judiciary, the reform forms part of its broader commitment to strengthening access to justice, enhancing public confidence in the justice system, and improving service delivery across the country.
The operationalisation of the Court of Appeal Circuits will be undertaken in phases, beginning with Gulu and Mbarara, once construction of the respective courthouses is completed.
As a transitional measure, all appeals and constitutional petitions currently pending before the Court of Appeal in Kampala that fall within the jurisdiction of the newly established circuits—and which have not yet been heard—will be transferred to the respective circuits upon their operationalisation.
The Kampala-based Court of Appeal will continue to handle matters arising from the following High Court Divisions and areas:
Family Division, Land Division, Criminal Division, International Crimes Division, Civil Division, Commercial Division, Anti-Corruption Division, as well as Wakiso, Luwero, and Entebbe.
New Court of Appeal circuits and their jurisdictions:
Arua Circuit – Arua, Moyo, Nebbi
Fort Portal Circuit – Fort Portal, Hoima, Kasese, Masindi
Gulu Circuit – Gulu, Apac, Dokolo, Kitgum, Lira, Patongo
Jinja Circuit – Jinja, Bugiri, Iganga, Lugazi, Mukono
Masaka Circuit – Masaka, Rakai, Mpigi
Mbale Circuit – Mbale, Pallisa, Tororo, Soroti, Kumi, Moroto
Mbarara Circuit – Mbarara, Bushenyi, Ibanda, Kabale, Rukungiri, Ntungamo
Mubende Circuit – Mubende, Kiboga
The Judiciary says the establishment of the circuits marks a significant step toward decentralising appellate justice and ensuring timely, affordable, and accessible legal redress for all Ugandans.
