This morning, Court of Appeal's Lady Justice Eva Luswata officially flagged off a landmark training for Chief Magistrates on the Judiciary's newly introduced Performance Enhancement Tool(PET), marking a major step in efforts to strengthen efficiency, accountability, and transparency across the institution.
The training, ongoing at the Supreme Court Building Conference Hall, follows the recent launch of PET, which went live on 17th October 2025. The tool is part of the wider Performance Management System (PMS) designed to modernize how the Judiciary monitors, evaluates, and enhances performance among both judicial and non-judicial staff.
According to the Performance Management and Awards Committee, the PET rollout is being implemented in phases. Phase I targets all Chief Magistrates and all ICT staff, who will serve as the pioneer users expected to set the benchmark for full institutional adoption. In line with the implementation roadmap, the Committee organized this dedicated training on Performance Management and Appraisal to equip participants with a strong foundation before individual account creation and performance planning begin. These processes will prepare officers for full evaluation using the PET at the end of the 2025/26 Financial Year.
In her opening remarks, the Acting Chief Registrar, HW Lamunu Pamella Ocaya, emphasized the significance of this training, noting that while the PET is transformative, its success depends on the accuracy and quality of information entered by staff. She underscored the central leadership role of Chief Magistrates in driving performance excellence across their respective courts. She expressed appreciation to the technical rollout team led by Mr. Ronnie Mbabali, Mr. Brian Oryema and Mr Joseph Ssinabulya, recognizing their dedication to the development and implementation of the tool.
Flagging off the training, Court of Appeal's Lady Justice Eva Luswata described the initiative as a major milestone in the Judiciary's reform agenda. She noted that the new PMS aligns individual performance with the Judiciary's mission of delivering timely, fair, and impartial justice. She stressed that effective performance management requires a balance between internal assessments and external feedback from the public, which PET is designed to integrate.
Justice Luswata highlighted that the training would empower participants with a comprehensive understanding of the performance management cycle, modern appraisal approaches, and data-driven performance planning. She also cautioned against inconsistencies in scoring during appraisals, noting that fairness and integrity are central to credible performance evaluations.
During the session, participants are being taken through the Overview of Performance Management and the Performance Management Cycle, enabling them to appreciate the theoretical and institutional basis of the new Tool. Later in the day, they will engage in a practical, hands-on session focusing on the application of Performance Management tools, including Account Creation, Selection of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs),Selection of Competencies and Actors, and Generation of Appraisal Forms using PET. This practical component is designed to ensure that all Chief Magistrates are confident and proficient in navigating the Tool and applying it within their courts.
Justice Luswata encouraged the attendees to actively participate, seek clarity, and ensure that their e-performance plans for the 2025/26 financial year are completed on time. She reiterated that the PMS is not a policing mechanism but a guide to support professional growth, enhance accountability, and foster a culture of continuous improvement within the Judiciary.
She concluded by appreciating the organizers and participants for their dedication to advancing the Judiciary's modernization agenda before officially declaring the training open.
Posted 12th, November 2025
