The Judiciary has announced that it will hold the Annual Judges Conference 2026 from February 2 to 4, 2026, followed by the official opening of the New Law Year on February 5, 2026.
Acting Chief Registrar, Pamella Lamunu Ocaya, informed the legal fraternity and the public about the planned activities and their effect on court operations.
“The Judiciary will hold the Annual Judges Conference 2026 from 2nd to 4th February, 2026. This Conference will be followed by the official opening of the New Law Year 2026 on the 5th February 2026,” the notice reads.
According to the Judiciary, the conference and the New Law Year opening will require the participation of most judicial officers. As a result, several courts will not be conducting hearings during this period.
“This is to inform you that with the exception of the Justices of the Supreme Court who will be hearing the Presidential Election Petition, all Justices of the Court of Appeal and Judges of the High Court, including Registrars, will be away for the Conference and subsequently opening of the New Law Year,” Ocaya stated.
The notice clarifies that while judges and registrars will be away, court registries across the country will continue operating.
“However, the Registries of all the Courts will remain open,” the Acting Chief Registrar said.
The Annual Judges Conference is a key event on the Judiciary’s calendar, bringing together judicial officers to review performance, discuss emerging legal issues, and set priorities for the new judicial year.
The opening of the New Law Year traditionally marks the formal commencement of court business for the year and is attended by judicial officers, members of the legal profession, and other stakeholders in the justice sector.
The notice was copied to the Chief Justice, the Principal Judge, the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Judiciary, and the President of the Uganda Law Society.
Advocates and court users have been advised to take note of the temporary absence of judges from the Court of Appeal and High Court when planning court business during the conference and New Law Year activities.