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Constitution (Creation of the Court of Appeal Circuits) (Practice) Directions

Legal Notice 21 of 2025 Current version · as at 14 November 2025
Enacted2025
Commenced14 November 2025
Last amended—
Point-in-time consolidation · as at 14 November 2025. This page may not reflect amendments made after that date. Confirm the current position against the latest Uganda Gazette before relying on it.

About this Act

A full descriptive summary for this Act has not been recorded yet.

Jurisdiction
Uganda
Type
Principal Legislation
Status
In force
Language
English

Full text of the Act

0 parts · 18 sections · 1 Schedule

Enhanced Annotated View adds approved, source-linked propositions, operative requirements, judicial passages, related provisions, amendment notes and authority status. Choose Original PDF to inspect the source consolidation.

Uganda

Constitution (Creation of the Court of Appeal Circuits) (Practice) Directions

Commenced on 14 November 2025

[This is the version of this document at 14 November 2025.]

1. Citation

These Practice Directions may be cited as the Constitution (Creation of the Court of Appeal Circuits) (Practice) Directions, 2025.

Section analysis Source-linked statutory analysis Source linked
Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Statutory power

This section confers or regulates the statutory power described as “Citation”.

“These Practice Directions may be cited as the Constitution (Creation of the Court of Appeal Circuits) (Practice) Directions, 2025.”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

The power must be exercised by the authorised decision-maker, within the conditions and purpose stated in the section.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

1
  1. These Practice Directions may be cited as the Constitution (Creation of the Court of Appeal Circuits) (Practice) Directions, 2025.
Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions

No express internal or cross-Act reference appears in this section.

Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

2. Application

These Practice Directions shall apply to the Circuits of the Court of Appeal

Section analysis Source-linked statutory analysis Source linked
Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Scope rule

This section defines when and how “Application” applies.

“These Practice Directions shall apply to the Circuits of the Court of Appeal”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

Confirm that the matter and forum fall within this section before applying the Act's remaining provisions.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

1
  1. These Practice Directions shall apply to the Circuits of the Court of Appeal
Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions

No express internal or cross-Act reference appears in this section.

Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

3. Objective

The objective of these Practice Directions is to create Circuits of the Court of Appeal (a) to effectively and efficiently deliver justice to the people of Uganda by bringing services closer to the people;

(b)

to manage case backlog in the Court of Appeal;

(c)

to reduce the time spent in determining appeals and constitutional petitions; and

(d)

to reduce the cost of obtaining justice in Uganda by enabling court users to seek and receive the services obtainable at the Circuit of the Court of Appeal.

Section analysis Source-linked statutory analysis Source linked
Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Governing rule

This section states the governing statutory rule for “Objective”.

“The objective of these Practice Directions is to create Circuits of the Court of Appeal (a) to effectively and efficiently deliver justice to the people of Uganda by bringing services closer to the people;”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

Use this section as the starting statutory rule for “Objective”, together with the linked provisions and current consolidation.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

3
  1. (b) to manage case backlog in the Court of Appeal;
  2. (c) to reduce the time spent in determining appeals and constitutional petitions; and
  3. (d) to reduce the cost of obtaining justice in Uganda by enabling court users to seek and receive the services obtainable at the Circuit of the Court of Appeal.
Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions

No express internal or cross-Act reference appears in this section.

Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

4. Interpretation

In these Practice Directions, unless the context otherwise requires

"Court" means the Court of Appeal;

"Circuit" means the Circuit of the Court of Appeal;

"Justice" means the Justice of the Court of Appeal assigned to the Circuit by the Deputy Chief Justice;

"Registrar" means a Registrar assigned to the Circuit by the Chief Registrar and shall include a Deputy Registrar and an Assistant Registrar;

"register" means the register where all pleadings and supporting documents and all orders and decisions of the Court are recorded and includes an electronic register.

Section analysis Source-linked statutory analysis Source linked
Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Definition

This section supplies the definitions or statutory meaning governing “Interpretation”.

“In these Practice Directions, unless the context otherwise requires "Court" means the Court of Appeal;”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

Use this definition when interpreting other provisions that employ the language addressed by “Interpretation”.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

4
  1. "Circuit" means the Circuit of the Court of Appeal;
  2. "Justice" means the Justice of the Court of Appeal assigned to the Circuit by the Deputy Chief Justice;
  3. "Registrar" means a Registrar assigned to the Circuit by the Chief Registrar and shall include a Deputy Registrar and an Assistant Registrar;
  4. "register" means the register where all pleadings and supporting documents and all orders and decisions of the Court are recorded and includes an electronic register.
Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions

No express internal or cross-Act reference appears in this section.

Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

5. Creation of Court of Appeal Circuits

(1)

There is created circuits of the Court of Appeal sitting at the following places-

(a)

Arua;

(b)

Fort Portal;

(c)

Gulu;

(d)

Jinja;

(e)

Masaka;

(f)

Mbale;

(g)

Mbarara; and

(h)

Mubende.

(2)

Appeals from the High Court Divisions and High Court Circuits specified in columns 2 and 3 of Schedule 1 to these Practice Directions shall lie to the Court of Appeal, Kampala specified in column 1 of Schedule 1 to these Practice Directions.

(3)

Appeals from the High Court Circuits specified in column 3 of Schedule 2 to these Practice Directions shall lie to the respective Court of Appeal Circuits specified in column 2 of Schedule 2 to these Practice Directions.

(4)

Where any written law provides that an appeal shall lie to the Court of Appeal from any other court or tribunal, the appeal shall lie to the Court of Appeal, Kampala.

Section analysis Source-linked statutory analysis Source linked
Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Procedural rule

This section establishes the governing procedure for “Creation of Court of Appeal Circuits”.

“(1) There is created circuits of the Court of Appeal sitting at the following places-”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

A litigant should address this rule at the procedural stage named in the section and preserve evidence of compliance.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

12
  1. (1) There is created circuits of the Court of Appeal sitting at the following places-
  2. (a) Arua;
  3. (b) Fort Portal;
  4. (c) Gulu;
  5. (d) Jinja;
  6. (e) Masaka;
  7. (f) Mbale;
  8. (g) Mbarara; and

4 further items remain in the statutory text above.

Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions

No express internal or cross-Act reference appears in this section.

Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

6. Composition

A Circuit shall have five Justices assigned by the Deputy Chief Justice

Section analysis Source-linked statutory analysis Source linked
Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Mandatory duty

This section imposes mandatory requirements concerning “Composition”.

“A Circuit shall have five Justices assigned by the Deputy Chief Justice”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

The provision uses mandatory language; the responsible person or institution should be able to demonstrate compliance.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

1
  1. A Circuit shall have five Justices assigned by the Deputy Chief Justice
Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions

No express internal or cross-Act reference appears in this section.

Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

7. Administration

(1)

The Deputy Chief Justice shall, in consultation with the Chief Justice, designate a Head and Deputy Head of a Circuit from among the Justices assigned under paragraph 6.

(2)

The Heads of Circuits shall report to the Deputy Chief Justice.

(3)

The Chief Registrar shall deploy Registrars to the Circuits.

(4)

The Head of a Circuit shall be responsible for the administration and supervision of the Circuit assisted by the Registrar.

Section analysis Source-linked statutory analysis Source linked
Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Mandatory duty

This section imposes mandatory requirements concerning “Administration”.

“(1) The Deputy Chief Justice shall, in consultation with the Chief Justice, designate a Head and Deputy Head of a Circuit from among the Justices assigned under paragraph 6.”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

The provision uses mandatory language; the responsible person or institution should be able to demonstrate compliance.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

4
  1. (1) The Deputy Chief Justice shall, in consultation with the Chief Justice, designate a Head and Deputy Head of a Circuit from among the Justices assigned under paragraph 6.
  2. (2) The Heads of Circuits shall report to the Deputy Chief Justice.
  3. (3) The Chief Registrar shall deploy Registrars to the Circuits.
  4. (4) The Head of a Circuit shall be responsible for the administration and supervision of the Circuit assisted by the Registrar.
Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions

No express internal or cross-Act reference appears in this section.

Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

8. Court Users Committee

(1)

There is established at every Circuit, a Court Users Committee comprising of the following-

(a)

the Head of the Circuit, who shall be the chairperson;

(b)

the Justices of the Circuit;

(c)

Registrars of the Circuit, one of whom shall be the secretary; and

(d)

key stakeholders of the Circuit.

(2)

The Court Users Committee may co-opt any person to be a member.

(3)

The Court Users Committee shall be an advisory body to the Circuit.

(4)

The Court Users Committee shall meet at least once every quarter.

(5)

The Court Users Committee shall regulate its own procedure.

Section analysis Source-linked statutory analysis Source linked
Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Statutory power

This section confers or regulates the statutory power described as “Court Users Committee”.

“(1) There is established at every Circuit, a Court Users Committee comprising of the following-”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

The power must be exercised by the authorised decision-maker, within the conditions and purpose stated in the section.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

9
  1. (1) There is established at every Circuit, a Court Users Committee comprising of the following-
  2. (a) the Head of the Circuit, who shall be the chairperson;
  3. (b) the Justices of the Circuit;
  4. (c) Registrars of the Circuit, one of whom shall be the secretary; and
  5. (d) key stakeholders of the Circuit.
  6. (2) The Court Users Committee may co-opt any person to be a member.
  7. (3) The Court Users Committee shall be an advisory body to the Circuit.
  8. (4) The Court Users Committee shall meet at least once every quarter.

1 further item remain in the statutory text above.

Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions

No express internal or cross-Act reference appears in this section.

Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

9. Functions of Court Users Committee

The functions of the Court Users Committee are to (a) study the challenges to effective delivery of justice and advising on appropriate strategies to address the challenges;

(b)

promote communication, cooperation and coordination among the justice service stakeholders;

(c)

initiate proposals and reforms geared towards easing access to justice through the adoption of quick, cheap and convenient processes of dispute settlement;

(d)

promote the use and implementation of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, making recommendations and proposing relevant reforms;

(e)

make recommendations to the Case Management Committee on matters requiring policy and legislative reforms relating to case management;

(f)

study concerns and issues raised by members of the bar and the bench in relation to the administration of justice and formulating best practices to address the issues; and

(g)

conduct inspection visits of the relevant justice instructions and making recommendations for the effective administration and delivery of justice.

Section analysis Source-linked statutory analysis Source linked
Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Governing rule

This section states the governing statutory rule for “Functions of Court Users Committee”.

“The functions of the Court Users Committee are to (a) study the challenges to effective delivery of justice and advising on appropriate strategies to address the challenges;”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

Use this section as the starting statutory rule for “Functions of Court Users Committee”, together with the linked provisions and current consolidation.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

6
  1. (b) promote communication, cooperation and coordination among the justice service stakeholders;
  2. (c) initiate proposals and reforms geared towards easing access to justice through the adoption of quick, cheap and convenient processes of dispute settlement;
  3. (d) promote the use and implementation of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, making recommendations and proposing relevant reforms;
  4. (e) make recommendations to the Case Management Committee on matters requiring policy and legislative reforms relating to case management;
  5. (f) study concerns and issues raised by members of the bar and the bench in relation to the administration of justice and formulating best practices to address the issues; and
  6. (g) conduct inspection visits of the relevant justice instructions and making recommendations for the effective administration and delivery of justice.
Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions

No express internal or cross-Act reference appears in this section.

Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

10. Transitional provision

All appeals and constitutional petitions filed at the Court of Appeal in Kampala which lie within the jurisdiction of a Circuit created under these Practice Directions which has not been heard at the date of operationalisation of the respective Circuit, shall be transferred to the respective Circuit Court of Appeal, Kampala

Court of Appeal, Kampala High Court Divisions High Court Circuit

Court of Appeal, Kampala Family Division Wakiso

Land Division Luwero

Criminal Division Entebbe

International Crimes Division

Civil Division

Commercial Division

Anti-Corruption Division

Court of Appeal Circuit High Court Circuits

Section analysis Source-linked statutory analysis Source linked
Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Jurisdictional rule

This section establishes the jurisdictional rule for “Transitional provision”.

“All appeals and constitutional petitions filed at the Court of Appeal in Kampala which lie within the jurisdiction of a Circuit created under these Practice Directions which has not been heard at the date of operationalisation of the respective Circuit, shall be transferred to the respective Circuit Court of Appeal, Kampala”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

A litigant should establish this jurisdictional basis before asking the court to determine the merits.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

1
  1. All appeals and constitutional petitions filed at the Court of Appeal in Kampala which lie within the jurisdiction of a Circuit created under these Practice Directions which has not been heard at the date of operationalisation of the respective Circuit, shall be transferred to the respective Circuit Court of Appeal, Kampala
Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions

No express internal or cross-Act reference appears in this section.

Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

1. Arua Arua, Moyo and Nebbi

The text of this section isn't in the consolidation we hold — see the original PDF above.

2. Fort Portal Fort Portal, Hoima, Kasese and Masindi

The text of this section isn't in the consolidation we hold — see the original PDF above.

3. Gulu Gulu, Apac, Dokolo, Kitgum, Lira and Patongo

The text of this section isn't in the consolidation we hold — see the original PDF above.

4. Jinja Jinja, Bugiri, Iganga, Lugazi and Mukono

The text of this section isn't in the consolidation we hold — see the original PDF above.

5. Masaka Masaka, Rakai and Mpigi

The text of this section isn't in the consolidation we hold — see the original PDF above.

6. Mbale Mbale, Pallisa, Tororo, Soroti, Kumi and Moroto

The text of this section isn't in the consolidation we hold — see the original PDF above.

7. Mbarara Mbarara, Bushenyi, Ibanda, Kabale, Rukungiri

and Ntungamo

8. Mubende Mubende and Kiboga

The text of this section isn't in the consolidation we hold — see the original PDF above.

Original Laws of Uganda consolidation (as at 14 November 2025) — public-domain legislation, consolidated by ULII / Laws.Africa (CC BY 4.0). This is a point-in-time text and may not reflect later amendments; confirm against the latest Uganda Gazette before relying on it.