Library, Research, Law Reporting, And Records Subcommittee Holds First Meeting, Discusses Terms of Reference and Work plans
Earlier, the Library, Research, Law Reporting, and Records Subcommittee held its first meeting at the Court of Appeal in Kampala.
Chaired by Justice Geoffrey Kiryabwire (Justice Court of Appeal), the meeting aimed to discuss the subcommittee's terms of reference and its work plans (Library, Research, Law reporting and Records).
Justice Kiryabwire emphasized the need for practical and achievable work plans aligned with the subcommittee's terms of reference.
He also pointed out possible overlaps with other Committees that needed to be addressed. Additionally, he emphasized the need for budgeting, stating that all work plans should include costs to ensure effective implementation.
Justice Kiryabwire highlighted the need for a proper Documentation Centre for the Judiciary. He noted that public access to information requires a designated location and that documentation should go beyond written material to include photographs, emblems, and other historical records. He also underscored the need for well-maintained and organized archives.
The meeting explored the possibility of integrating various documentation/ resources centers within the Judiciary, including those at the Judiciary Training Institute (JTI), those in Entebbe and at the Registry of Planning, Research and Development into one Documentation Centre/ museum for the Judiciary.
It was suggested that the representative for the Finance and Administration take the lead in conceptualizing this idea and developing a proposal for the Documentation Centre for the Judiciary.
Members discussed the scope of record management and the need to engage various stakeholders across courts and registries for comprehensive record management. They were also informed about plans to establish standards for archiving, records management policies, and procedural guidelines.
During the meeting, HW Dr. Nakibuule Gladys Kisekka (Deputy Registrar JTI Research) presented a workplan on research, covering both academic and institutional areas.
In his reaction to the work plan, Justice Kiryabwire urged that the Subcommittee should focus on research that identifies challenges and solutions that could positively impact the Judiciary. He cited previous benchmarking efforts, including studies on corruption indices, court user satisfaction, and case resolution timelines, as examples of research topics that the subcommittee could use.
HW Wegoye Joel (Senior Magistrate Grade one, Law Reporting) presented a work plan on Law Reporting/Uganda legal information institute (ULII) covering capacity building, data collection, decentralization of data collection, adoption of other forms of technology, data analytics, and financial sustainability among other areas.
Background
The Library, Research, Law Reporting, and Records Subcommittee is established under the Information, Communications, and Technology (ICT) and Documentation Committee to assist it(ICT and Documentation Committee) on matters related to the library, research, law reporting, and records management.
Its functions include coordinating and supervising library information services, internal law reporting, research, and record-keeping in the Judiciary.
The Subcommittee also coordinates the operations of the research and law reporting teams, conducts surveys on the library and research needs of various courts and offices in the Judiciary, and oversees all documentation and library centers of the Judiciary. Additionally, it oversees the identification and budgeting of research materials required by user departments, among other functions.
The meeting was attended by various members including Lady Justice Damalie Lwanga (Executive Director, JTI), HW Katushabe Prossy (Registrar JTI), and HW Amoko Patricia(Private Legal Secretary to the Chief Registrar).
Also present were Mr. Hirome Sulaiman (Principal Assistant Secretary), Mr. Kikabi David Sunday (Head ICT), Mr. Sserunkuma Bbosa (Head Statistics Unit), Ms Sheila Wamboga (Principal Communications Officer) and Mr. Gwom Jacob (Principal Records Officer) among others.
Posted 10th, February 2025
