Judiciary Trains Registrars, Heads of Department in Planning, Budgeting, and Reporting
Participants at the training on budgeting and planning
The Judiciary has commenced a two-day training aimed at enhancing the planning, budgeting, and reporting competencies of Judicial Officers and Heads of Departments. The training, organized by the Judiciary's Registry of Planning, Research and Development in collaboration with the Policy and Planning Department, is being held at the Supreme Court Building Conference Hall in Kampala.
Representing the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Judiciary, the Undersecretary Ms. Maureen Kasande underscored the importance of aligning daily responsibilities with the Judiciary's broader strategic objectives.
"This training is intended to equip you with the necessary skills to plan, budget, and report more effectively, thereby contributing to a more efficient, responsive, and accountable Judiciary," she said.
Ms. Kasande highlighted the Government of Uganda's transition from the Sector Wide Approach to Programmatic Planning and Budgeting - a shift aimed at strengthening alignment between institutional plans and national priorities, as well as enhancing service delivery and resource utilization.
She noted that despite the existing policy framework - including the Public Financial Management Act, 2015 (as amended) and the Monitoring and Evaluation Policy - institutions continue to face challenges such as: Limited knowledge and capacity in planning and budgeting, Weak alignment between departmental plans and strategic goals and Inconsistencies in performance reporting.
With the impending transition to the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV) 2025/26-2029/30, she called for strengthened internal processes to ensure that institutional plans and reports are aligned with the objectives of the Administration of Justice Programme.
Ms. Kasande urged participants to actively engage in the sessions, ask questions, and apply the insights gained to enhance their operational roles, reaffirming the Judiciary’s commitment to capacity building and institutional growth.
In her remarks, Acting Chief Registrar HW Pamella Lamunu Ocaya emphasized that the training goes beyond skill acquisition and is central to adapting to a changing operational environment.
"The role of the Judiciary is pivotal in upholding the rule of law and delivering justice. With the right tools, knowledge, and leadership, we can improve not only our internal processes but also the services we provide to the public," she said.
Acting Registrar for Research, Planning and Development, HW John Paul Edoku, stressed that budgeting begins within the institution and encouraged participants to take the training seriously. He revealed that a follow-up training will be organized in the first quarter of the next financial year, noting that improved planning directly supports adjudication efforts.
The session opened with Mr. Julius Caesar Kagoro, Principal Policy Analyst, outlining the training objectives, which include enhancing planning, budget preparation, and reporting skills.
Mr. Simon Peter Opolot, Head of the Policy and Planning Department, later led a session on the Budget Cycle.
Participants are currently having a practical engagement with officials from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. The ministry team is guiding participants on the Programme Budgeting System (PBS), Budget Structure, and the preparation of workplans and budgets.
Posted 8th, May 2025
