End users of the Integrated Electronic Case Management System — the digital platform that facilitates electronic filing of court cases — are calling for more training to understand how to use the system.

The system allows users to monitor the progress of their cases online. However, the different stakeholders that are supposed to use the system including judicial staff and lawyers say they have challenges using the system due to limited computer literacy.

Victor Mugabe, executive director of the Rwanda Bar Association, said even though they trained members on how to use the system, some struggle to use it because of a language barrier.
“The system is in English and a huge number of end users don’t speak English, which makes it hard for them to use it.

“We want the system to be translated in Kinyarwanda so that non-English speakers can use it in a language they understand,” Mr Mugabe told Rwanda Today.

He added that the Bar Association has organised training for legal experts in every district from September 19- 26.

According to Daniel Ndayisaba, a lawyer, the system has eased their work as they can easily follow a case online without going to court.

“It is time saving,” Mr Ndayisaba said.

Senior lawyer Guido Kirabo Ngamije said the system dramatically changed the way he used to work.

Still facing challenges

“I used to take my case to the court, and wait for confirmation but today after submitting your case you immediately get a confirmation. I wouldn’t say that I’m good at using the Integrated Electronic Case Management System. I’m still facing some challenges using it,” said Mr Ngamije.

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The system was developed by Armenian Company Synergy International Systems at a cost of $2 million.

However, judicial spokesperson Harrison Mutabazi said the system has allowed litigants who previously couldn’t access the Kigali courts, to now easily file and follow up their cases from their districts.

Despite the current challenges associated with using the system, Mr Mutabazi said it is facilitating speedy delivery of justice.