KAMPALA – The Research Committee of the Judicial Training Institute (JTI) Governing Council on Tuesday, July 29 held a meeting to discuss the Research Work Plan and Budget for the Training Needs Assessment.
The meeting which took place the Institute was chaired by Ms Norah Matovu, the Chairperson of the Research Committee of the Governing Council. “Our interest is assessing where people are and the positions they hold,” she said.
Ms Matovu pointed out that newly appointed Judicial Officers felt disadvantaged for not benefiting from an elaborative induction exercise because of the COVID- 19 pandemic.
She however said a system should be worked out where they engage the newly appointed Judicial Officers.
The JTI Executive Director, Hon. Justice Damalie N. Lwanga, promised to follow up with the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to Judiciary, on the issue of funds for induction of newly appointed Judicial Officers so that the trainings can take place.
The JTI Deputy Registrar, Research HW Godfrey Kaweesa in recapping the achievements of his docket said, “we were unable to realise most of our targets because of COVID-19, however we still registered some achievements such as a draft report of the Annual Judges Conference 2020, a report on the assessment of the induction training of 2017 and 2018, a plan to conduct TNA for the higher bench among others.”
Some of the challenges noted was failure to absorb research funds from Government due to the lengthy procurement procedures, limited funds, low staffing levels in the Research department and lack of logistics among others.
Way forward
It was noted that with the passing of the Administration of the Judiciary Act 2020, there was need to realign activities to the provisions of the Act.
It was agreed that a concept note be made on the development of the human Resource Manual in line with the Judiciary Act 2020.
It was agreed that the JTI curriculum be reviewed to realign it with the Judiciary and the JLOS strategic investment plans and the new Act.
Other members who took part in the meeting were the Ag. Registrar Research and Training, HW Moses Angualia, Law Reporting Officers; HW Daniel Bwambale and HW Winfred Kyobika Naigaga. Research Officer HW Karamagi Pamela, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer Uganda Law Society, Ms Nasasira Lesh Bita and Ms Kawesa Rose Nalule from the Law Development Centre we’re present.
