The High Court

The High Court

Hon. Justice A. Kania | Hon. Justice Dan Akiiki-Kiiza | Hon. Justice G. Tinyinondi | Hon. Justice J.B.A. Katutsi | Hon. Justice J.P.M. Tabaro | Hon. Justice Paul Kahaibale Mugamba | Hon. Justice Rubby Aweri Opio | Hon. Justice V.F. Musoke-Kibuuka | Hon. Justice Yorokamu Bamwine | Hon. Lady Justice J. Sebutinde | Hon. Lady Justice S.B. Bossa | Hon. Lady. Justice Caroline Atim Okello |

The High Court is the third superior court of record possessing and exercising unlimited jurisdiction in both criminal and civil cases. In addition, it hears appeals from magistrates' courts and exercises general supervisory powers over them.
The Principal Judge is the head the High Court and subordinate courts and in that capacity assists the Chief Justice in the administration of the High Court and subordinate courts.
The High Court is divided into Civil, Criminal, Commercial, Family and Circuit Divisions. The Divisions of the High Court are not different courts even if they exercise separate jurisdiction. A judge from any division may exercise jurisdiction of another Division. Each judge of the High Court is assigned a particular Division and is eligible to transfer to another Division. Although each Division has its administrative head, they are under the supervision and control of the Principal Judge.
The Principal Judge's Office Instruction No. 1 of 1997 specifies actions or mailer that may be commenced and prosecuted in the High Court. Consequently, certain types of action are confined to particular Divisions. Thus matrimonial causes in the High Court may only be heard in the Family Division or Circuit Division but not in either of the four Divisions.
Civil Division
The Civil Division is the largest and one of the oldest Divisions of the High Court. The jurisdiction of the civil division is entirely civil and includes hearing appeals from the Magistrates' courts.
The original jurisdiction of the Civil Division comprises of torts committed against the person, defamation, bankruptcy and company winding up matters, partnership matters, companies matters, real and personal property.
The Criminal Division
The Criminal Division has jurisdiction in all serious criminal offences such as murder, manslaughter, rape, defilement, treason and any other offences carrying a death sentence or life imprisonment.
The Criminal Division has also appellate and revisional powers, dealing with proceedings on appeal and revision from Magistrates courts. In addition, the division confirms sentences from Magistrates Courts.
The Commercial Division
The Commercial Division often referred to as 'Commercial Court" was established to deliver efficient, expeditious and cost-effective justice to the commercial and economic life of Uganda.
The Commercial Court is part of the commercial Justice Reform Programme (the CJRP'), a key component of Uganda's medium term competitiveness strategy to improve the commercial sector in Uganda.
The jurisdiction of the Commercial Court include but not necessarily limited to the supply or exchange of goods and services; banking; negotiable instruments; international credit and similar financial services; insurance and re-insurance; the operation of stock and foreign exchange markets; the carriage of goods by water; land and air; foreign judgements and commercial arbitration questions.
The procedures in the Commercial Court are more flexible than in normal ordinary courts, thus promoting speedy, simplicity and substantive justice.
The Family Division.
The Family Division as the name suggests, was established to handle all causes and matters connected with the status and welfare of families.

Annual Report 2001
The jurisdiction of the Family Division includes probate and administration causes; custody; wardship and guardianship of minors; proceedings for declaration of adoption; paternity; issues involving trusts as well as proceedings for a decree of presumption of death; matrimonial causes such as petitions for divorce and judicial separation and any other causes as may be conferred to the division by the Principal Judge.
Land division
Text for the Land division goes here
The Circuit Division
In addition to other divisions, the High Court has created the Circuit Division at regional centres in an effort to improve its service delivery. There are now seven High Court Circuits at Mbarara, Fort Portal, Masaka, Jinja, Mbale, Gulu and Nakawa. Each circuit has jurisdiction to handle all matters within its territorial jurisdiction.