“Justice is not an abstract concept — it is a lived experience for every Ugandan.”
The Justice, Law, and Order Sub-programme (JLOS) remains central to Uganda’s transformation — ensuring that justice, human rights, and the rule of law are not merely principles in policy but are experienced in the everyday lives of our people.
Over the years, JLOS has collaborated closely with its member institutions and development partners to establish a justice system that is fair, accessible, and responsive to the needs of all Ugandans. Today, the impact of that effort is visible and tangible, in quicker access to justice, humane correctional facilities, empowered communities, and institutions that operate with professionalism and integrity.
This publication reflects that transformation. It features stories of innovation, resilience, and reform, from modernising court systems and community policing to rehabilitating offenders, protecting children, advancing women’s rights, and reinforcing frameworks for commercial and human rights justice.
Each story reminds us that justice is more than an abstract idea restricted to courtrooms. It exists in the marketplace where disputes are settled amicably, in refugee settlements where women can access legal support, in prisons where rehabilitation takes the place of retribution, and in police stations where officers serve and protect citizens rather than intimidate them.
The adoption of the Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) across all JLOS institutions has been vital to this progress. It guarantees that every reform and service delivered rests on principles of equality, non-discrimination, participation, and accountability. Through this approach, justice has become more inclusive, empowering those previously excluded, including the poor, children, survivors, and the vulnerable.
None of these achievements would have been possible without the steadfast partnership of our development partners, notably the Austria Development Cooperation (ADC), UNDP, UN Women, the European Union, and others, whose technical and financial support has enabled us to deliver justice more efficiently, transparently, and humanely.
As we reflect on the milestones documented in these pages, we are reminded that our work is far from finished. The demand for justice continues to evolve alongside society, and so must we. JLOS remains dedicated to enhancing digital transformation, strengthening institutional collaboration, and extending justice services to every part of Uganda.
We dedicate this publication to the men and women — in police stations, courts, prisons, and communities — who embody the spirit of justice through their daily service. May their work continue to inspire us all to build a Uganda where justice is not the privilege of a few, but the right of all.
Rachel Odoi-Musoke
Senior Technical Advisor
Justice, Law and Order Sub-Programme (JLOS) Secretariat