The Principal Judge, Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, has reaffirmed the Judiciary’s commitment to improving the welfare of judicial officers through sustained dialogue and phased interventions.
Lady Justice Abodo said the well-being of judicial officers is fundamental to effective justice delivery, noting that the Judiciary and the Uganda Judicial Officers Association (UJOA) share a responsibility to promote welfare while strengthening the administration of justice.
She made the remarks during a meeting with the newly elected UJOA Executive Committee at the Judiciary headquarters.
The Principal Judge congratulated the new Executive upon assuming office and commended its members for accepting the responsibility of serving their colleagues despite the demanding nature of judicial work.
She described judicial officers as among the Judiciary’s greatest assets, saying their welfare should go beyond salaries and allowances to include decent working conditions, suitable accommodation, reliable transport, comprehensive medical insurance, security and a conducive working environment.
Lady Justice Abodo also called for non-judicial staff to be included in welfare initiatives, citing their critical role in supporting judicial officers and the administration of justice.
She described the Magistracy as the backbone and first point of contact of the Judiciary, saying the quality of justice delivered at that level largely influences public confidence in the institution.
The Principal Judge urged UJOA to position itself not only as an advocate for the welfare of its members but also as a strategic partner in promoting professionalism, integrity, accountability, wellness, Alternative Dispute Resolution, mediation, plea bargaining and the broader Judiciary Transformation Agenda.
Responding to UJOA’s memorandum, Lady Justice Abodo acknowledged concerns regarding salary enhancement, statutory allowances, promotions, transfers, housing, transport and other welfare matters, describing them as legitimate issues requiring continued engagement.
She, however, noted that the Judiciary continues to operate under significant financial constraints arising from budget reductions and delayed release of funds, including resources needed to handle election petitions.
Despite the challenges, she assured the UJOA Executive that the Judiciary remains committed to addressing the welfare concerns through immediate, medium- and long-term interventions.
She also pledged to present the Association’s memorandum to Top Management for discussion and consideration.
On the proposed transfer policy, Lady Justice Abodo supported the development of a transparent framework, while noting that operational demands, security considerations, complaints from court users and institutional needs may sometimes require exceptions.
She further undertook to engage relevant authorities on UJOA’s proposal for tax-free vehicle arrangements and emphasized the need to improve transport facilitation, particularly for judicial officers serving in hard-to-reach areas.
The Principal Judge also encouraged UJOA to strengthen its institutional sustainability by increasing member subscriptions, pursuing prudent investments, developing professional income-generating initiatives and partnering with development partners whose work is aligned with access to justice.
She proposed the identification of a high-impact programme that could be incorporated into the Judiciary’s annual budget to ensure sustainable institutional support for the Association.
UJOA President, HW Daphine Ayebare, thanked the Principal Judge for meeting the Executive and for the continued support extended to the Association by the Judiciary’s leadership.
