The Chief Justice, Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija, has unveiled sweeping reforms aimed at strengthening accountability, transparency and efficiency in Uganda’s Judiciary by ensuring that the recruitment, promotion and management of judicial officers are guided by objective performance data.
Justice Zeija announced that the Judiciary’s Performance Enhancement Tool (PET) will be integrated with the Judicial Service Commission’s (JSC) systems to enable merit-based decision-making during appointments and promotions.
He made the announcement while officiating as Chief Guest at the Judicial Service Commission Annual Stakeholders’ Forum held at the Supreme Court Conference Hall in Kampala.
According to the Chief Justice, the integration will allow the Judicial Service Commission to access judicial officers’ performance records during promotion processes, while the PET recruitment portal will interface with the Commission’s systems to improve efficiency and eliminate duplication.
“The Judicial Service Commission has a duty to ensure that only those with proven merit ascend the Bench. This is the first non-negotiable step towards transforming justice delivery in the country,” Justice Zeija said.
He further revealed that the Judiciary will begin publishing annual performance results of judicial officers on its website as part of strengthened performance management measures.
He warned that consistent non-performance would no longer be tolerated, adding that judicial officers will be subjected to continuous performance evaluations and those who repeatedly fail to meet established standards will face disciplinary action.
The Chief Justice also called for closer collaboration among institutions within the administration of justice, including the Judiciary, Judicial Service Commission, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Uganda Police Force, Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, and the legal fraternity, to tackle persistent challenges such as case backlog and prolonged pre-trial detention.
He encouraged the institutions to undertake joint public engagement initiatives, including Court Open Days, radio programmes and community outreach campaigns, to improve public understanding of the justice system and strengthen confidence in judicial institutions.
On technological innovation, Justice Zeija said the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS) has significantly improved court operations by reducing case processing time, minimising physical interaction, eliminating manual file losses and enhancing transparency.
He urged the Judicial Service Commission to embrace technology in its recruitment, appointment and disciplinary processes while promoting Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as an effective way of reducing case backlog, lowering litigation costs and fostering amicable settlement of disputes.
“To effectively transform justice delivery, we cannot rely solely on traditional archaic methods of operation. Innovation is a catalyst that will propel our justice system into the 21st century,” he said.
During the forum, Justice Zeija officially launched the Judicial Service Commission Client Charter, Service Delivery Standards and the Commission’s Third Strategic Plan, describing them as key instruments for improving accountability, enhancing service delivery and guiding the Commission’s long-term strategic direction.
He commended the Commission for maintaining merit-based recruitment and urged it to continue appointing judicial officers who demonstrate integrity, legal competence, emotional intelligence and sound moral character.
Reaffirming the Judiciary’s commitment to integrity, the Chief Justice declared a zero-tolerance stance against corruption, unethical conduct, unnecessary delays, laziness and mediocrity.
“There is no room for corrupt elements in Uganda’s justice system, nor do we have room for laziness and mediocrity,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Judicial Service Commission, Justice Douglas Singiza Karekona, highlighted the key achievements of the Seventh Commission, noting that the institution has continued to strengthen judicial recruitment, disciplinary oversight and service delivery as part of efforts to build a more efficient and trusted justice system.
