The Mbarara Regional Office of the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs was established on 1 July 2006 to extend the services of the Ministry and the Attorney General’s Chambers to the Ankole Sub-region and surrounding areas. The Office is located at Plot 1A, Kamukuzi Hill, Mbarara City.

The establishment of the Mbarara Regional Office marked a significant step by the Ministry in decentralizing and deconcentrating legal services, bringing justice closer to Government institutions, Local Governments, and the public within its area of jurisdiction. As one of the Ministry’s earliest regional offices, it initially served a vast geographical area that included the present-day jurisdictions of Fort Portal, Hoima, Masaka, and Kabale Regional Offices before the continued expansion of the Ministry’s regional network. Through the delivery of legal and advisory services at the regional level, including legal representation, legal advisory services, civil litigation, administration of estates, legislative and regulatory support, and inspection of law chambers and legal aid service providers, the Office has enhanced access to justice, improved the efficiency of service delivery, and strengthened the administration of justice. It also provides legal representation to Government institutions and authorized public officers in civil matters, contributing to the protection of public resources and the promotion of lawful governance.

Mbarara Regional Office is guided by the values of integrity, accessibility, responsiveness, fairness, gender equity, accountability, empowerment, professional excellence, transparency, and respect for the rule of law.

These values guide the conduct of staff and shape the manner in which services are delivered. They promote professionalism, ethical practice, inclusiveness, and accountability while ensuring that all clients are treated with dignity, impartiality, and respect. The Office remains committed to maintaining high standards of service delivery and fostering public confidence in the legal and justice system.

The Office currently serves Mbarara City and the districts of Mbarara, Ibanda, Isingiro, Kiruhura, Kazo, Bushenyi, Sheema, Buhweju, Rubirizi, Rwampara, Mitooma, Ntungamo, and Lyantonde. It provides legal services to the Mbarara and Bushenyi High Court Circuits and supports all Magistrates’ Courts within its area of jurisdiction.

The Regional Office operates within the broader framework of the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs’ mandate while addressing the unique legal needs and challenges of the Ankole Sub-region. It plays a vital role in promoting lawful governance, safeguarding public resources, strengthening public institutions, supporting the administration of estates, providing legislative and legal advisory services, and ensuring compliance with the Constitution and other legal and regulatory frameworks. Through close collaboration with the Judiciary, Local Governments, Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, law enforcement agencies, and other justice sector stakeholders, the Office contributes to the efficient, effective, and timely administration of justice while promoting access to justice and the rule of law throughout the region.