The Chief Justice of Uganda, Hon Mr. Benjamin Odoki announced the establishment of Uganda Judicial Studies Institute during the opening of the Judges Annual conference on 5th January 2004. The institute operates as a department of the Judiciary on a semi- autonomous basis, separate from the day-to-day operations of the Judiciary but still within the judiciary
JSI is a semi-autonomous body that derives authority from the Judiciary of the Republic of Uganda to conduct systematic training for Judicial Officers and Staff of the Judiciary. On request, JSI also organizes training and workshops for other players in the Justice, Law and Order Sector (JLOS). JSI strongly believes that through coordinated capacity building across the Sector, reforms being implemented can be effectively monitored for maximum impact in targeted areas and beyond.
In its operations, JSI is guided by government polices, rules and regulations while maintaining strict internal control mechanisms. The policy making body is the Governing Council headed by a Supreme Court Justice. The composition of the Council is;
1. Vice Chairman (Justice of the Court of Appeal)
2. Council Secretary (Registrar of Courts of Judicature in Charge of Research and Training)
3. High Court Judge
4. Chief Registrar, Courts of Judicature
5. Secretary to the Judiciary
6. Law Development Centre Director
7. Under Secretary to the Judiciary
8. High Court Registrar
9. Inspector of Courts
10. Public Relations Registrar
11. Judicial Studies Institute Executive Director
12. Uganda Law Society President
13. Uganda Judicial Officers Association President
14. Uganda Judicial Service Commissioner
15. Judiciary Principal Personnel Officer
The Governing Council approves policies and programmes which are implemented by a Secretariat managed by an Executive Director, presently, a High Court Judge, assisted by a Registrar, Research and Training and a Senior Training Officer among others. A detailed Organization Structure Chart (organogram) is outlined in the last part this profile.
JSI focuses on building expertise of Judicial Officers and Judiciary staff and provides them with opportunities to broaden their knowledge on specialized subjects. Its overall objective is to provide training services with the view of raising the quality of service delivery most especially in legal and Justice Issues.
The JSI Vision is to “To have a Transformed Judiciary that reflects constitutional values, exhibits high ethical standards and is sensitive to the social context?”
The JSI Goal is “Bridging the Gap between Law, Justice and Society. ”
The JSI Mission is “Efficiency and Effectiveness of the Judiciary enhanced.”
The JSI developed Strategies. The Most prominent:
- Multi-disciplinary approach to training
- Sector wide Practice Oriented Training
- Social Contextual Education and Training
- Global Partnerships
Relevant training experience (Common Law):
- Induction and Orientation Programmes for newly appointed Judicial Officers and Staff of the Judiciary.
- Continuous Education and Development Programmes.
- Annual Performance Review Workshops, where Judicial Officers and Administrators evaluate individual performance and discuss work plans for the coming year.
- Annual Judges Conferences, where Judges and other stakeholders meet every beginning of the year to discuss common problems and formulate common strategies.
- In partnership with other Institutions, JSI has conducted specialized training in Management, Human Rights, Environmental Laws and Policies, International crimes and other emerging global trends.
JSI enjoys financial stability created by a guaranteed training budget released every financial year by the Government of Uganda. Further details about Financial Soundness may be obtained from the Secretary to Judiciary who is the accounting officer for the Courts of Judicature of the Republic of Uganda. He (Mr. Ralph Ochan) can provide a certificate of financial creditability on request. His contacts are: Secretary to the Judiciary, BOX 7085, Tel: 256 414 233420; email: rochan@judicature.go.ug
Since its creation in 2004, the JSI has managed and implemented the Human Development and Training Work Plan under the Danida Strengthening the Judiciary Programme. This component of the project receives Uganda shillings 320,000,000 per year. Details may be obtained from the Project Director and Project Accountant, P.O.BOX 674, Tel 256 0414 259511/2 Fax: 256 0414 259680; email: bnalugo@judicature.go.ug
Due to its financial solidity, the JSI is slated to manage the training budget in relation to the creation of an Anti-Corruption Court Division as well as other Training activities aimed at fighting graft in the Public Sector in Uganda and beyond.