The High Court

The High Court is headed by the Honorable Principal Judge who is responsible for the administration of the court and has supervisory powers over Magistrates courts.

Location

The High Court of Uganda is located at Plot 2, the Square Kampala and it is the third court of record in order of hierarchy and has unlimited original jurisdiction, which means that it can try any case of any value or crime of any magnitude. Appeals from all Magistrates Courts go to the High Court.

Divisions of the High Court

Civil Division

The Civil Division is located on the first floor of Twed towers, along Kafu Road, Nakasero. The functions of the Civil Division include hearing appeal cases from the Magistrates courts in connection with torts committed against the person, defamation, bankruptcy and company winding up matters, partnership matters, companies matters, Real estate and personal property.

Criminal Division

The Criminal Division is located on the second floor of High Court Building at Plot 2, the Square. This is Responsible for hearing all serious criminal offences referred to it by the Magistrates Courts. All criminal offences such as Murder, Manslaughter, Rape, Defilement, Treason and other offences carrying death sentence or life imprisonment.

Family Division

This division was created in April 2005. The Family Division is located on the third and fourth floors of Crusader House, Plot 3 Collvile Street. The Division handles Administration causes, Family causes, Miscellaneous causes, Miscellaneous applications, Civil suits, Civil appeals, Originating summons, Civil revisions and Divorce causes.

Land Division

The Land Division is located on the second floor of Twed Towers, along Kafu Road, Nakasero, Kampala. The Division is charged with supervising the work of Land Tribunals and the adjudication of all land related disputes.

Commercial Court Division

The commercial court was established in 1996 as a division of the High Court of Uganda for hearing and determining commercial disputes.

International Crimes Division

Handles international crimes including war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.

Anti Corruption Division

Handles corruption-related cases and economic crimes.

High Court Decentralization

High Court circuits include: Fort Portal, Gulu, Jinja, Masaka, Mbale, Mbarara, Kabale, Arua, Masindi, Lira, Soroti, Nakawa.