Speaker Oboth pledges support for judicial welfare

What the report says

Speaker Jacob Marksons Oboth has pledged Parliament’s backing for efforts to improve the welfare of Uganda’s judicial officers, according to Watchdog Uganda. He made the remarks on Thursday, 5 November 2026, during a courtesy visit by members of the Uganda Judicial Officers’ Association (UJOA), who were led by Principal Judge Justice Jane Frances Abodo.

Oboth said judicial performance depends on proper facilitation and better working conditions, and he invited the association to present its proposals to Parliament in a structured form for consideration. He also noted that conditions across the Judiciary still need improvement, including the need to align terms more broadly within the public service. The meeting focused on welfare issues rather than legislation, but it highlighted concerns about resources and support for court officers.

Justice Abodo said magistrates, who make up much of UJOA’s membership, need better pay, housing, medical care and security. She also said the Judiciary is increasingly using Alternative Dispute Resolution to help reduce case backlog and speed up justice delivery. UJOA President Justice Daphne Ayebare said the association wants parliamentary support for its welfare proposals and also promotes judicial independence, research and reforms. She additionally briefed the Speaker on the association’s “Porridge Project,” which provides food to remandees at some courts, including the Law Development Centre and Buganda Road Courts.