Kampala– On Thursday, the Judiciary Disciplinary Committee (JDC) and the Judicial Service Commission Disciplinary Committee (JSC DC) held a joint meeting at the Supreme Court Conference Hall in Kampala aimed at strengthening coordination, harmonising disciplinary procedures and enhancing accountability in the administration of justice.
The engagement brought together members of both committees to review disciplinary processes, improve complaint-handling mechanisms and strengthen collaboration between the Judiciary and the Judicial Service Commission.
Opening the meeting, the Chairperson of the Judiciary Disciplinary Committee, Lady Justice Percy Night Tuhaise, welcomed participants and underscored the complementary roles played by the two committees in handling disciplinary matters within the justice sector.
She explained that the engagement seeks to streamline procedures relating to the receipt of complaints, investigations, referrals and communication among the Inspectorate of Courts, responsible officers, the Judiciary Disciplinary Committee and the Judicial Service Commission.
Lady Justice Tuhaise said the meeting was to strengthen integrity, accountability, transparency and public confidence in the Judiciary by developing clear and predictable disciplinary procedures, harmonising standards, upholding the principles of natural justice and improving coordination among the institutions involved.
She urged participants to engage in candid and constructive discussions that would help reduce delays, improve case management, identify systemic gaps and promote fairness and consistency in disciplinary decisions.
The Chairperson of the Judicial Service Commission Disciplinary Committee, Lady Justice Comfort Kania, briefed participants on the structure of the Commission and its disciplinary processes.
She observed that the Judiciary Disciplinary Committee and the JSCDC share similar procedures and are both guided by the principles of natural justice in handling complaints involving judicial officers and support staff.
Lady Justice Kania noted that the common objective of both institutions is to promote accountability, transparency and predictability in disciplinary proceedings while safeguarding fairness for all parties involved.
The Chief Registrar, HW Agnes Alum, expressed appreciation to the JSC for the confidence placed in her through her appointment as Chief Registrar.
Drawing on her experience in the Inspectorate of Courts and the Registry of Magistrates Affairs, she observed that she had gained first-hand understanding of the challenges faced by both judicial officers and court users.
HW Alum noted that the Office of the Chief Registrar serves as a critical link between the Judiciary and the JSC in matters relating to appointments, promotions and discipline of registrars and magistrates.
She acknowledged that disciplinary and promotional processes have occasionally attracted public criticism and emphasised the importance of ensuring fairness, consistency and transparency in their implementation.
Commending both committees for convening the joint engagement, the Chief Registrar expressed confidence that the meeting would strengthen collaboration between the two institutions and contribute to a more effective and accountable disciplinary system.
The participants received presentations on disciplinary processes within the JSC by Mr Frank Musingwiire, Commissioner and member of the JSC Disciplinary Committee, together with Ms Pamela Akello Kamlega, Deputy Registrar for Disciplinary Affairs. A corresponding presentation on the Judiciary Disciplinary Committee’s processes was also be delivered.
The engagement is expected to generate practical recommendations for improving coordination between the Judiciary and the JSC, harmonising disciplinary procedures, strengthening complaint-handling mechanisms and enhancing public confidence in the administration of justice
