Judges, registrars, and other personnel from the Court of Appeal recently concluded a four-week retreat held at the Institute of Legal Practice and Development (ILPD) in Nyanza. During this retreat, the team closely examined 707 case files related to claims of injustice, ultimately identifying 106 cases that warranted further review as legitimate grievances.

The retreat, which concluded on October 25, 2024, was attended by 42 staff members of the Court of Appeal. It provided a unique opportunity for judges, registrars, and clerks to collaboratively assess appeals and to share insights and expertise with colleagues working across various roles.

According to François Régis Rukundakuvuga, the President of the Court of Appeal, the retreat was organized to accelerate the processing of a significant backlog of grievance cases while promoting knowledge-sharing on effective handling methods.

“With the passage of the law allowing individuals to file grievance cases when dissatisfied with appeal outcomes, the Court of Appeal has seen a considerable influx of cases that need timely resolution,” Rukundakuvuga explained. “On average, we receive between 50 and 70 grievance cases each month. This workload is in addition to our regular appeal cases, which makes it challenging to resolve grievances within the mandated three-month period.”

He noted that, despite the volume of cases, the public expects timely justice. When a grievance is filed, the original court ruling remains in effect unless a review outcome necessitates otherwise. “We made the decision to suspend regular court proceedings for a month so that our entire team could focus on this pressing work,” Rukundakuvuga added.

Out of the 707 cases reviewed, only 106 met the legal criteria to proceed as grievances, representing 15% of the total cases. Rukundakuvuga encouraged the public to file only cases that meet legal standards, as unfounded submissions consume time and resources.

Participants of the retreat expressed positive feedback, emphasizing both the progress made in case reviews and the practical knowledge gained.

Solange Ngabire, a court clerk, shared, “This experience has been immensely beneficial, especially as I was new to handling grievances. We learned the process of filing, reviewing, and responding to grievances, which will enhance our future work.”

Fulgence Kabalisa, a researcher at the Court of Appeal, highlighted the broader impact for the public, explaining that “the reviewed cases will allow the public to experience faster justice, both for older and recent grievances. Once signed by the President of the Court, the rulings are added to a digital system called ‘Sobanuza Inkiko,’ allowing applicants to access them promptly.”

The Court of Appeal allows grievance cases to be filed when plaintiffs are dissatisfied with appeal decisions. By law, the President of the Court is responsible for reviewing these cases, underscoring the court’s commitment to addressing appeals and grievances with efficiency and transparency.