LocationsAdvancing Access to Justice: UNDP and Partners Launch Video Conferencing System for High Court, Kitgum Prison and Lamwo Prison
July 9, 2026
An ongoing court session at Kitgum Court conducted using the video conferencing system.
Communities in Northern Uganda are set to benefit from faster, more efficient, and more accessible justice services following the launch of a new Video Conferencing Facility (VCF) System for Kitgum High Court, Kitgum Prison and Lamwo Prison. Kitgum’s remoteness and its history as a conflict-affected region have long placed it among the areas with the least access to formal justice services in Uganda. The launch, along with the Court Open Day, was held on 7 May 2026 under the theme “Digital Courts for Better Service Delivery,” and it brought together judicial officers, development partners, local leaders, and community members to witness how digital innovation is transforming access to justice in Uganda.
The event commenced with a live virtual court session of a murder case arising out of Gender Based Violence. The Resident Judge Justice Philip Mwaka Willebrord. demonstrated how court proceedings can now be conducted remotely through the newly installed system. The session showcased the potential of digital courts to improve efficiency, reduce delays, and expand access to justice for inmates and vulnerable populations.
Supported by UNDP Uganda and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Uganda under the joint United Nations–European Union Spotlight Initiative, a global programme dedicated to eliminating violence against women and girls, the Video Conferencing Facility enables courts in Kitgum to hear and manage cases across the country, including cases connected to courts in Kampala. The innovation is expected to significantly reduce case backlog and improve the timely delivery of justice.
The UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Nwanne Vwede Obahor, delivers her remarks during the launch of the Video Conferencing System in Kitgum high court.
Speaking during the launch, Nwanne Vwede-Obahor, Resident Representative of UNDP Uganda, emphasized the transformative potential of digital justice systems.
“This launch is particularly significant for Kitgum, Lamwo and beyond. It demonstrates that well-designed, effectively integrated, and sustainably financed digital justice solutions can address many of the barriers to access to justice. These reforms not only streamline justice processes but also strengthen the substantive delivery of justice itself,” she said.
She further noted that the investment forms part of a growing national network of digital justice systems supported by the Government of Uganda, development partners, and UNDP.
“Digital justice enables faster and more efficient case management and dispute resolution, improves work process conditions in courts, and enhances access to justice, particularly for children, women, and girls,” she added.
The Kitgum installation marks the seventh Video Conferencing Facility supported through UNDP nationwide. Other systems are already operational in Masaka, Mbale, Jinja, Mubende, Gulu, and Mukono. The expansion into Northern Uganda aligns with the Judiciary’s broader reform agenda to reduce the case backlog and enhance the efficiency of justice administration. For Kitgum, this is more than a technological upgrade.
In a region still recovering from the deep institutional damage of prolonged conflict, restoring access to justice is itself an act of post-conflict reconstruction. Moreover, the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS) tracks and manages cases, while real-time transcription technologies accurately capture proceedings. The Video Conferencing System also ensures that neither distance nor circumstance prevents participation, the three technologies together closing the loop on digital justice delivery.
Mr. Bouwe-Jan Smeding, the Head of Cooperation for the Netherlands in Uganda speaking during the launch.
Speaking at the event, Bouwe-Jan Smeding, the Head of Cooperation for the Netherlands in Uganda, reaffirmed the Netherlands’ commitment to strengthening the rule of law and access to justice. According to him:
“At the heart of this commitment lies a simple principle that all people everywhere should be able to rely on and access fair institutions and equal protection under the law. We also see an accessible and reliable rule of law as an enabler for development in a broader sense.”
Furthermore, Resident Judge Justice Philip Mwaka Willebrord expressed appreciation to UNDP and partners for supporting the initiative, noting its importance in addressing sensitive cases, particularly sexual and gender-based violence matters
“We are very grateful to UNDP for recognizing the need for this Video Conferencing Facility in Kitgum. Kitgum have a high incidence of sexual and gender-based violence, and this system will greatly improve the efficiency with which we handle such matters,” he noted.
A photo of Chinene Charles (left) and Akello Alice (right) speaking during the launch in Kitgum high court.
The Court Open Day also provided an opportunity for community members to engage directly with justice actors, ask questions about court processes, and receive feedback from judicial leaders. Participants raised practical concerns affecting access to justice and the administration of courts.
For example, Chinene Charles asked,
“What happens when people with money take you to court after you have served a prison sentence and returned home, only to find that your property has been damaged?”
A female participant inquired,
“People with disabilities cannot be helped in court, particularly those using wheelchairs. Are there any facilitations and provisions for persons with disabilities to enable them easily to enter and access court services?”
Akello Alice also asked,
“Why do court delays occur in hearing cases and resolving matters before the court?”
The interactions helped strengthen public trust, increase awareness of e-justice services, and provide a platform for addressing community concerns about access to justice.
While celebrating the milestone, UNDP emphasised the need for continued investment in stable electricity, internet connectivity, technical capacity, and digital literacy to ensure long-term sustainability and inclusivity of digital justice systems. The launch reaffirmed a shared commitment among the Government of Uganda, the Judiciary, UNDP, and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to ensure that no Ugandan is denied justice due to distance, delay, or circumstance
As part of the commemoration, Justice Philip Mwaka Willebrord, Mr Bouwe-Jan Smeding, and Ms Nwanne Vwede-Obahor planted trees at the court premises, symbolising growth, justice, and continued partnership in strengthening access to justice in Uganda
By Precious Nwachukwu - Partnerships and Communications, UNDP Uganda