Uganda’s Supreme Court premises in Kololo, Kampala have been closed off to allow renovations following a fire outbreak.
According to a statement issued by judiciary on Wednesday June 1, 2022, the decision to close the court premises was communicated by the Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny- Dollo in an internal memo dated May 30.
According to Owiny-Dollo, judiciary top management made the decision following a fire that burnt part of his chambers on April 27, 2022.
The statement cited water leakages resulting into ceilings collapsing as well as water flooding into chambers of other Justices of the Court which damaged books, furniture and other court properties.
“These incidents have made it unsafe to continue in occupation of the said premises without a proper assessment of the damage and effecting appropriate rectification,” part of the memo reads.
“The landlord has been duly notified to assess and rectify the defects. For these reasons, the top management of the Judiciary has decided, and I hereby direct that the supreme Court be closed as the premises undergo renovations and rectification of defects.”.
He directed the other judges and staff to work from home until further notice but clarified that the court registry and ECCMIS centre will remain open to handle the usual court business.
“While the court remains closed, the court administrator shall ensure that the security personnel remain on duty, all Covid-19 SOPs are strictly observed, all court halls and chambers remain closed, Judgments may be delivered using virtual electronic means and there’s is a Justice on duty to attend to urgent matters on a daily basis.”
The Justice on duty shall operate from the High Court building at the judiciary headquarters in Kampala as other Justices wait to be notified when full court operation shall resume upon issuance of a certificate by the responsible authorities that the premises are safe.
