Kampala – The Judiciary Disciplinary Committee (JDC) and the Judicial Service Commission Disciplinary Committee (JSC DC) on Thursday held a joint meeting at the Supreme Court Conference Hall in Kampala to strengthen coordination, harmonise disciplinary procedures and enhance 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, said the two committees play complementary roles in handling disciplinary matters within the justice sector and stressed the need for closer coordination.
She explained that the meeting was intended to streamline procedures for receiving complaints, conducting investigations, making referrals and improving communication among the Inspectorate of Courts, responsible officers, the Judiciary Disciplinary Committee and the Judicial Service Commission.
Lady Justice Tuhaise said the initiative is aimed at strengthening integrity, accountability, transparency and public confidence in the Judiciary by establishing clear and predictable disciplinary procedures, harmonising standards, upholding the principles of natural justice and improving institutional coordination.
She urged participants to hold 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 Commission’s structure and disciplinary processes.
She noted that both the Judiciary Disciplinary Committee and the JSC Disciplinary Committee follow similar procedures guided by the principles of natural justice when handling complaints against judicial officers and support staff.
According to Lady Justice Kania, both institutions share a common objective of promoting accountability, transparency and predictability in disciplinary proceedings while safeguarding fairness for all parties involved.
The Chief Registrar, HW Agnes Alum, thanked the Judicial Service Commission for the confidence it placed in her through her appointment as Chief Registrar.
Drawing from her experience at the Inspectorate of Courts and the Registry of Magistrates Affairs, HW Alum said she had gained first-hand understanding of the challenges faced by judicial officers and court users.
She observed that the Office of the Chief Registrar serves as a critical link between the Judiciary and the Judicial Service Commission on matters relating to the appointment, promotion and discipline of registrars and magistrates.
Acknowledging that disciplinary and promotional processes have at times attracted public criticism, she emphasised the need to ensure fairness, consistency and transparency in their implementation.
HW Alum commended both committees for convening the joint engagement, expressing confidence that it would strengthen collaboration between the two institutions and contribute to a more effective, transparent and accountable disciplinary system.
Participants received presentations on the Judicial Service Commission’s disciplinary processes from Commissioner Frank Musingwiire, a member of the JSC Disciplinary Committee, and Ms Pamela Akello Kamlega, Deputy Registrar for Disciplinary Affairs. A corresponding presentation on the Judiciary Disciplinary Committee’s disciplinary procedures was also delivered.
The meeting is expected to generate practical recommendations aimed at improving coordination between the Judiciary and the Judicial Service Commission, harmonising disciplinary procedures, strengthening complaint-handling mechanisms and enhancing public confidence in the administration of justice.
