Judiciary Announces Court Holiday, Duty Judges to Handle Urgent Cases

The Judiciary of Uganda has officially begun its annual court vacation, a month-long break that allows judicial officers time for rest, research, and handling of pending judgments.

According to Mr. James Ereemye, the Public Relations Officer of the Judiciary, the vacation started today, July 15, and will end on August 15, 2025.

“This is part of the Judiciary calendar. It allows judicial officers a break from daily courtroom sessions so they can catch up on writing judgments, reviewing case files, or simply resting after long periods of heavy caseloads,” Mr. Ereemye said.

While courts will not be holding regular hearings during this period, a duty judge will be available in each court to handle urgent matters such as bail applications, interim orders, and other time-sensitive cases.

For many people in the legal system — including judges, lawyers, and court staff — the break is seen as a valuable time to recharge.

A magistrate in Kampala who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “We need time to reflect and go through pending rulings with a clear mind. This break helps us return with renewed energy.”

Members of the public with non-urgent matters are advised to wait until the vacation period ends.

Lawyers are also using this time to prepare for fresh hearings expected to resume in mid-August.

Despite the slowdown in court activity, the Judiciary says this break ensures that justice continues to function — just with a focus on backlog and internal work.

As Uganda's courts take this pause, there is hope that when they reopen in August, service delivery will be faster, more organized, and more focused