Participants at the two day training on planning, budgeting, and reporting
This morning, the Judiciary commenced a two-day training on planning, budgeting, and reporting at the Court of Appeal Conference Hall, Level 7, Kampala. The programme brings together judicial officers, senior management, and heads of departments, with the aim of strengthening institutional capacity in financial planning and accountability.
Opening the training on behalf of the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Judiciary, Ms. Maureen Kasande, the Under Secretary Finance and Administration, underscored the timeliness of the initiative as the institution prepares for the 2026/27 budget cycle. She noted that in previous years, challenges such as limited technical capacity, weak work plan preparation, and inconsistent reporting practices had been observed.
"The objective of this training is to equip you with skills to develop meaningful work plans that align with the Judiciary’s strategic direction and the country's development agenda, while also improving budget preparation and performance reporting," she said.
Ms. Kasande reminded participants that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has already issued the First Budget Call Circular for the 2026/27 Financial Year. In line with the Public Finance Management Act, all government institutions, including the Judiciary, are required to begin preparing Budget Framework Papers and preliminary estimates. She emphasized that the Judiciary operates under close scrutiny from oversight bodies such as Parliament, the Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Prime Minister, and the Equal Opportunities Commission.
"As we advocate for increased funding, we must demonstrate meticulous planning, efficient use of resources, and transparent reporting," she stressed, urging officers to actively engage, ask questions, and apply the knowledge gained to enhance service delivery.
Delivering the welcome message on behalf of the Registrar Planning and Development, HW Agnes Alum, Registrar Magistrates Affairs and Data Management, highlighted that planning and budgeting begin at the level of individual chambers, courts, registries, departments, and units, where needs must be clearly identified and priorities set.
"The transition from a sector-based approach to a programme-based budgeting system demands precision, evidence-based justification, and clear alignment of resources to outcomes. While this presents challenges, it also provides opportunities to ensure that the priorities of the Judiciary are well-articulated and adequately resourced," HW Alum said.
She further explained that the training is designed not only to provide practical tools for operational planning, budget formulation, and expenditure tracking, but also to promote a culture of accountability and efficiency in resource use. "Our collective goal is to contribute to the Judiciary’s vision of a fair, efficient, and accountable justice system," she added.
Over the two days, participants will engage in sessions on work plan and budget preparation, performance reporting, national performance assessment, procurement cycles, and accountability measures. Facilitators include experts from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, the Office of the Prime Minister, and senior officers from the Judiciary's procurement and accounts departments.
Moderating the programme, Mr. Ceasar Kagoro, Principal Policy Analyst, observed that beyond capacity building, the training also provides participants with a valuable opportunity to interact and share experiences.
The training is expected to enhance the Judiciary's ability to align resources with strategic priorities, strengthen accountability, and improve performance in the delivery of justice to all.
Posted 30th, September 2025
