The Judiciary has announced the official opening of the long-awaited twin towers housing the appellate courts, namely the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal. The grand opening is scheduled for February 9, 2024, following the annual judges conference from February 5-8 and the commencement of the New Law year 2024.
A notice from the Judiciary, signed by Chief Registrar Sarah Langa Siu, outlined the details of the upcoming events. During the conference and subsequent commissioning of the new appellate courts building, all judicial officers of the superior courts will be away. However, the registries of the courts will remain open.
The commissioning of the twin towers, initially anticipated for July 2023 and later pushed to November 2023, marks a significant achievement for the Judiciary. The new buildings, set to save the judiciary at least Shs6b annually in rent for the appellate courts, have been listed as a top priority for 2024.
Judiciary permanent secretary Pius Bigirimana emphasized the importance of shifting the appellate courts from rented premises to the new structures, expressing optimism about the February inauguration. The completion of the twin towers is expected to significantly reduce the Judiciary’s annual expenditure on rent, with approximately Shs4b remaining for other court premises countrywide.
Located just above the Constitutional Square and sharing the same location with the High Court, the twin towers, billed at Shs63.9b, boast eight stories with a basement parking capacity for 226 vehicles. The buildings feature customized courthouses, modern courtrooms, chambers for justices, a restaurant, gym, childcare centers, and a conference hall, among other contemporary amenities.
