Participants at the Performance Enhancement Tool Training for Research Magistrates
A two-day training on the Performance Enhancement Tool (PET) for research magistrates attached to the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, and the Judicial Training Institute commenced today at the Supreme Court Conference Hall in Kampala.
The training aims to provide participants with comprehensive knowledge of PET, a digital tool introduced in2019 by H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, as part of broader efforts to strengthen institutional performance and improve service delivery within the Judiciary.
Opening the session, Supreme Court's Justice Mike Chibita, also Chairperson of the Performance Management and Awards Committee, highlighted the Judiciary's ongoing reforms to enhance efficiency and accountability. He noted previous initiatives such as the Court Case Administration System (CCAS), strategic investment plans, and annual judicial conferences. However, he acknowledged the limitations of the current performance appraisal system-borrowed from the Ministry of Public Service-which he said fails to capture the unique environment in which Judicial Officers operate.
Justice Chibita explained that the Judiciary developed PET to address these challenges. As a tailor-made, online performance measurement system, PET is designed to accommodate the Judiciary's complex, multi-stakeholder case management structure and uphold the constitutional independence of judicial officers. He cited progress made so far, including the rollout of a Change Management Plan and the creation of a dedicated performance management structure. He urged participants to take full advantage of the training, engage with the material, and embrace PET as a crucial tool for delivering timely and quality justice.
The Acting Chief Registrar, HW Pamella Lamunu Ocaya, who also serves on the Performance Management Committee, officially launched the training. She described PET as a testament to the Judiciary's commitment to continuous improvement, transparency, and accountability. Addressing the participants, she introduced the core concepts of the Tool, including its 360-degree performance appraisal system, and revealed that 118 judicial officers and 338 non-judicial staff have already been trained in its use.
HW Lamunu emphasized three central objectives of the PET appraisal framework: assessing individual contributions to institutional goals, enhancing personal effectiveness, and fostering accountability through structured evaluation. She encouraged the magistrates to become advocates of the PET system and to promote its adoption across the Judiciary. She also commended the Performance Management and Awards Committee for its commitment and lauded Justice Chibita's leadership in steering the initiative after nearly a decade of planning.
Also in attendance were members of the Performance Management and Awards Committee, including HW Patricia Amoko, Mr. Joseph Ssinabulya, and Mr. Isaac Bbossa Sserunkuma, as well as members o fthe technical support team. The session was moderated by Ms. Flavia Chandiru, Senior Systems Administrator.
During the training, participants were guided through essential elements of PET, such as case weights, performance targets, complexity metrics, and the theoretical basis of the360-degree appraisal model. They also engaged in hands-on sessions covering data input and analysis using PET's survey tools designed for public users, advocates, and prosecutors.
The training continues tomorrow with additional modules focused on practical application and user support, as the Judiciary advances its agenda for performance-based justice delivery.
Posted 15th, April 2025
