Dr. Pius Bigirimana Advocates for Improved Funding and Facilitation of Appellate Courts at Annual Judiciary Retreat in Mbarara
The session was chaired by Justice Oscar Kihika, a Justice of the Court of Appeal. It underscored the importance of aligning financial and administrative strategies with the Judiciary’s constitutional mandate to ensure justice delivery. Justice Kihika lauded Dr. Bigirimana for his detailed and actionable insights, noting that the issues raised were timely and critical in addressing the challenges faced by appellate courts.

Dr. Pius Bigirimana, the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Judiciary, presented a detailed paper on Funding and Facilitation of Appellate Courts at the Annual Retreat for Justices of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. The event, held at Las Vegas Garden Hotel in Mbarara City, brought together Uganda’s top judicial minds to reflect on strategies to enhance the efficiency of appellate courts.
The presentation sought to give Justices a comprehensive understanding of the current funding and facilitation mechanisms available to the Judiciary and how these resources empower the institution to fulfill its constitutional mandate effectively.
Dr. Bigirimana provided an overview of the Government of Uganda’s policies that influence the operations of the Judiciary. He highlighted the critical role that effective financial planning plays in aligning the Judiciary's work with national priorities under the National Development Plan.
The presentation emphasized the collaborative roles of the Judiciary, Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development (MoFPED), and Parliament in ensuring adequate funding. Dr. Bigirimana stressed the importance of seamless coordination among these stakeholders to achieve financial sustainability for appellate courts.
Dr. Bigirimana elaborated on the policies governing the management of government motor vehicles. He called for enhanced accountability to optimize the use of resources allocated to the Judiciary.
Issues concerning the allocation of allowances, provision for medical expenses, and insurance coverage were discussed. Dr. Bigirimana reiterated the need for transparent and fair policies to ensure that judicial officers are well-facilitated in carrying out their duties.
The paper examined existing reforms and gaps in resource allocation to appellate courts. It highlighted areas where funding constraints hinder the Judiciary’s ability to dispense justice effectively and proposed actionable solutions.
An analysis of the Judiciary’s budget within Uganda’s broader national financial framework was presented. Dr. Bigirimana called for a greater share of the national budget to address the growing workload in appellate courts.
The Permanent Secretary identified key funding constraints faced by the Judiciary, including inadequate allocation for infrastructure, human resources, and operational costs. He also proposed strategies for efficient resource utilization, such as:
Streamlining financial management processes. Investing in technology to enhance court operations.
Developing partnerships with development partners to supplement government funding.
Dr. Bigirimana emphasized the critical need for the Judiciary to adopt innovative solutions to enhance judicial efficiency and improve access to justice for all Ugandans.
The session was chaired by Justice Oscar Kihika, a Justice of the Court of Appeal. It underscored the importance of aligning financial and administrative strategies with the Judiciary’s constitutional mandate to ensure justice delivery.
Justice Kihika lauded Dr. Bigirimana for his detailed and actionable insights, noting that the issues raised were timely and critical in addressing the challenges faced by appellate courts.
The Annual Retreat for Justices of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal served as a platform to deliberate on critical issues affecting the Judiciary’s operations. Dr. Bigirimana’s presentation provided a roadmap for addressing funding challenges and optimizing resource utilization to enhance the efficiency of appellate courts.
The discussions reaffirmed the Judiciary’s commitment to delivering timely and fair justice while ensuring accountability and transparency in resource management. It is hoped that the proposed reforms and strategies will pave the way for a more robust and well-funded Judiciary in Uganda.