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Constitution (Operation of Mobile Courts) (Practice) Directions

Legal Notice 1 of 2026 Current version · as at 19 March 2026
Enacted2026
Commenced19 March 2026
Last amended—
Point-in-time consolidation · as at 19 March 2026. 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 · 8 sections

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 (Operation of Mobile Courts) (Practice) Directions

Commenced on 19 March 2026

[This is the version of this document at 19 March 2026.]

1. Citation

These Practice Directions may be cited as the Constitution (Operation of Mobile Courts) (Practice) Directions, 2026.

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 (Operation of Mobile Courts) (Practice) Directions, 2026.”
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 (Operation of Mobile Courts) (Practice) Directions, 2026.
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 apply to Magistrates Courts and the High Court

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 apply to Magistrates Courts and the High Court”
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.

0

This section states a single governing proposition and does not enumerate separate elements.

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 objectives of these Practice Directions are (a) to improve access to justice by taking judicial services to every part of Uganda;

(b)

to provide easy access to justice to refugee camps and refugee host communities;

(c)

to enable the operation and stationing of mobile court vehicles by the Judiciary, in any place in Uganda; and

(d)

to strengthen the existing processes of administration of justice to facilitate speedy 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 “Objective”.

“The objectives of these Practice Directions are (a) to improve access to justice by taking judicial services to every part of Uganda;”
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 provide easy access to justice to refugee camps and refugee host communities;
  2. (c) to enable the operation and stationing of mobile court vehicles by the Judiciary, in any place in Uganda; and
  3. (d) to strengthen the existing processes of administration of justice to facilitate speedy 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

4. Interpretation

In these Practice Directions, unless the context otherwise requires

"court" means Magistrates Courts and the High Court;

"facility" means any building, vehicle or vessel used for mobile court proceedings;

"mobile court" means a court that conducts proceedings in a location or facility, other than court premises, for a specified period of time.

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 Magistrates Courts and the High Court;”
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.

2
  1. "facility" means any building, vehicle or vessel used for mobile court proceedings;
  2. "mobile court" means a court that conducts proceedings in a location or facility, other than court premises, for a specified period of time.
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. Operation of mobile courts

(1)

Subject to section 5 of the Trial on Indictments Act and section 7 of the Magistrates Courts Act, a court may conduct court proceedings in any place or facility in Uganda.

(2)

A judge or magistrate in a mobile court shall hear both civil and criminal matters.

(3)

The Chief Justice shall assign a judge or magistrate to conduct a mobile court in a particular place or facility for a specific period of time.

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 “Operation of mobile courts”.

“(1) Subject to section 5 of the Trial on Indictments Act and section 7 of the Magistrates Courts Act, a court may conduct court proceedings in any place or facility in Uganda.”
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.

3
  1. (1) Subject to section 5 of the Trial on Indictments Act and section 7 of the Magistrates Courts Act, a court may conduct court proceedings in any place or facility in Uganda.
  2. (2) A judge or magistrate in a mobile court shall hear both civil and criminal matters.
  3. (3) The Chief Justice shall assign a judge or magistrate to conduct a mobile court in a particular place or facility for a specific period of time.
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
Section 7 · Validity of proceedings of mobile courts Magistrates Courts Act Trial on Indictments Act
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. Constitution of mobile courts

A mobile court shall be deemed to be duly constituted when it is presided over by a judge or magistrate assigned by the Chief Justice under paragraph 5(3) to adjudicate in the court

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 “Constitution of mobile courts”.

“A mobile court shall be deemed to be duly constituted when it is presided over by a judge or magistrate assigned by the Chief Justice under paragraph 5(3) to adjudicate in the court”
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 mobile court shall be deemed to be duly constituted when it is presided over by a judge or magistrate assigned by the Chief Justice under paragraph 5(3) to adjudicate in the court
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. Validity of proceedings of mobile courts

The proceedings of a mobile court shall be as valid in every respect as if they had been held in court premises

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 “Validity of proceedings of mobile courts”.

“The proceedings of a mobile court shall be as valid in every respect as if they had been held in court premises”
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. The proceedings of a mobile court shall be as valid in every respect as if they had been held in court premises
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. Rules of Procedure

A judge or magistrate presiding over a mobile court shall apply the Rules of Procedure applicable in civil and criminal proceedings

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 “Rules of Procedure”.

“A judge or magistrate presiding over a mobile court shall apply the Rules of Procedure applicable in civil and criminal proceedings”
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.

1
  1. A judge or magistrate presiding over a mobile court shall apply the Rules of Procedure applicable in civil and criminal proceedings
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

Original Laws of Uganda consolidation (as at 19 March 2026) — 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.