Judiciary commences consultations on the financial year 2026/27 budget framework paper

The Judiciary has commenced consultations on its Budget Framework Paper and Preliminary Budget Estimates for the Financial Year 2026/27, with a strong call for alignment to national priorities of economic transformation and inclusive development.

Speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Judiciary, the Under Secretary Maureen Kasande reminded participants that the budget preparation process is a statutory obligation under the Public Finance Management Act.

She stressed the need for consensus-building within the institution, noting that the final framework will be scrutinised by Cabinet and Parliament.

“We are under an obligation to prepare this budget framework in consultation with relevant stakeholders, taking into consideration balanced development, gender, and equity responsibilities,” Kasande said.

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She urged Heads of Courts, Registries, and Departments to ensure that their submissions are SMART—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound—and contribute to the national theme of “Full Monetisation of Uganda’s Economy through Commercial Agriculture, Industrialisation, Expanding and Building Businesses, and Transformation of the Market.”

The one-day meeting, convened by the Policy and Planning Department together with the Registry of Planning, Research and Development, brought together Registrars, Heads of Departments, and senior staff to review and consolidate draft workplans and budgets submitted from across the Judiciary.

His Worship John Paul Edoku, Registrar Planning, Research and Development, explained that the consultation was part of the Judiciary’s annual planning cycle and a key step in enhancing institutional performance and service delivery.

“This process enables us to take stock of our progress, identify emerging challenges, and design practical interventions that will drive efficiency and impact in the financial year,” he noted.

He encouraged participants to rethink their budgeting approaches, prioritise their most pressing needs, and attach detailed justifications to support their projections.

Her Worship Prossy Katushabe, Registrar High Court, co-chaired the meeting, which featured interactive discussions where participants exchanged ideas, refined targets, and built consensus on priority areas for the next financial year.

The meeting was moderated by Destiny Letasi, Senior Economist, and closed with remarks from HW Edoku on behalf of the Acting Chief Registrar, reaffirming the Judiciary’s commitment to consultative and evidence-based planning.