KAMPALA- On Friday 15th August 2025, the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Judiciary (PS/SJ), Dr. Pius Bigirimana, hosted the leadership of the Judicial Training Institute (JTI) led by the Executive Director, Justice Prof. Andrew Khaukha, for a consultative meeting aimed at reviewing training progress and future plans.
During the meeting, Justice Khaukha expressed gratitude to Dr. Bigirimana for his guidance and support, noting that the visit provided an opportunity to update the PS on JTI’s training activities, their impact on the Judiciary’s broader vision, and plans for future development.
Drawing inspiration from Dr. Bigirimana’s book, Abundance Mentality_, Justice Khaukha
highlighted how JTI had leveraged budget-neutral opportunities to bridge funding gaps. He particularly emphasised the success of virtual training, which has contributed to improved case disposal. Statistics presented showed that virtual plea bargain and mediation trainings conducted ahead of settlement weeks and plea bargain camps led to the disposal of 562 criminal cases and the settlement of 319 civil matters over four months (April–July). An additional 31 civil disputes were partially settled.
Justice Khaukha underlined the cost savings from Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) initiatives, explaining that disposing of 562 criminal cases virtually was equivalent to conducting 14 off-station criminal sessions each averaging 40 cases at a cost of 65 million Uganda shillings per session. He noted that holding such sessions in person would have cost taxpayers approximately 910 million shillings, without guaranteeing full closure given the high number of appeals.
Dr. Bigirimana welcomed the “training for results” initiative, stressing that performance planning should be collaborative between JTI, the ADR Registry, and the Planning Unit to ensure sustainable support and expansion of the gains achieved.
He commended the JTI leadership for demonstrating conceptual clarity, noting that this approach would contribute to a transformed Judiciary workforce.
Highlighting the Judiciary as a system of interlocking parts, Dr. Bigirimana emphasised that JTI should work closely with the Human Resources Department to build synergies for an efficient Judiciary.
Ms. Apophia N Tumwine, the Commissioner Human Resource, briefed participants on the roles of the HR Department and its link to training. She, together with the JTI Registrar, were tasked with establishing modalities for collaborative training engagements and identifying training needs.
The meeting also reviewed the role of ULII as a tool for effective case management and performance enhancement. HW Joel Wegoye explained that ULII is currently accessed in over 40 countries and highlighted a new “Pocket Law/Street Law” feature that will enable judicial officers in remote areas to access the system without internet connectivity.
The ED shared JTI’s strategic plans, which include the development of an online training portal to facilitate self-learning, a structured training calendar to replace ad-hoc sessions, specialised training for divisions and appellate courts, and continued emphasis on ADR and judgment writing.
The consultative session was attended by HW Lillian Bucyana, Acting Registrar JTI; HW Zulaika Nanteza, Acting Registrar ADR and Mr. Simon Peter Opolot, Commissioner Policy and Planning.
