By Kato Jamil
The Ugandan judiciary is set to roll out new reforms aimed at enhancing the efficiency and transparency of its services, including the introduction of official uniforms for all judicial staff across the country. Until now, only High Court judges and senior officers were required to wear judicial attire, but this move will see all workers, from magistrates to court support staff, dressed in distinctive attire that reflects their specific roles. This initiative is expected to make it easier for the public to identify court officials and reduce confusion when seeking services.
Pius Bigirimana, the Judiciary’s Permanent Secretary, shared this development while presenting the sector’s performance report during the Manifesto Week 2024 in Kampala. The introduction of toll-free hotlines for reporting misconduct by court officials is another key intervention aimed at boosting accountability. Bigirimana emphasized that these measures will help restore public confidence, which has been dented by long-standing corruption issues within the justice system.
As part of broader reforms to improve service delivery, the judiciary is also focusing on better facilitation for its staff. This includes the provision of official vehicles for all judges and registrars, with plans to extend this to magistrates and non-judicial staff. This, according to Bigirimana, will streamline case processing and enhance the speed and effectiveness of the judicial system.
Government investments have played a crucial role in improving service delivery, with significant budgetary increases allowing for better resourcing and salary enhancements for judicial officers. While these improvements have had a positive impact, Bigirimana called on the Ministry of Finance to ensure that the salary increments cover all staff, including those who support judges and magistrates.
A major achievement in recent years has been the introduction of the Electronic Court Case Management Information System, which automates and tracks the life cycle of cases.
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