L-R HW Langa (Chief Registrar) and Dr Bigirimana (PS/SJ) at the meeting with the clerks
On Wednesday April 13, 2022, the leadership of court clerks met the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to Judiciary,Dr Pius Bigirimana and the Chief Registrar, HW Sarah Langa Siu, to highlight some of the challenges they face in the course of their work.
At the meeting which took place at the Judiciary headquarters, the court clerks called for the regularization of their salary scale from U7 to U5, training needs such as learning a new language and other capacity-building courses, and the clerks setting up a union or association.
Justifying the need for an umbrella association, the Chairperson of the Clerks Committee, Mr Brian Bulega Ssebugwawo said such an association would ensure that the cadre maintain high ethical standards and also promote unity. Mr Bulega said this needs to be pursued alongside a SACCO which will help in the building of the financial muscle of clerks.
In response to this proposal, the Chief Registrar urged to think big and have a general association for the whole Judiciary to avoid a multiplicity of associations within the same institution.
The PS/SJ said they will hold meetings to find out the implications and legal framework of having the association(s). "We will come up with a resolution that we will communicate to you on very soon," he said.
On the issue of adjusting of the salary scale from U7 to U5, Dr Bigirimana informed the clerks leadership that he has written to the Public Service Commission and is still waiting for feedback.
The Commissioner Human Resource Management, Mrs Apophia N. Tumwine, urged the clerks with training needs to formally communicate, as a group, their intention to study for proper planning.
The Committee members were appreciated for looking smart in their uniforms and were urged to continue putting them on.
The meeting is a realization of are solution made in September last year to hold quarterly meetings with clerks.
The clerks were represented by; Ms Elizabeth Twijukye (Vice-Chairperson), Mr Wonder Areeba (General Secretary),Sharon Uwimana (Treasurer), Ms Irene Mutonyi (Secretary), Mr Clinton Mutabingwa, Mr Bruno Opolot, Ms Juliana Okia, Mr Mathias Maganda, and M sInnocencia Ajam.
Posted 13th, April 2022
