Earlier on Monday, May 20, Dr. Pius Bigirimana, the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Judiciary, convened a meeting with staff whose positions were abolished under the newly approved Judiciary Service structure. This meeting, held at the Court of Appeal Conference Centre, was significant as it marked the first use of the new conference hall, a move Dr. Bigirimana highlighted as a cost-saving measure for the government. “Holding meetings here saves the government a substantial amount that would otherwise be spent on hotel venues,” he noted.
The restructuring stems from the Administration of the Judiciary Act (AJA) of 2020, which led to Cabinet approving a revised structure for Judiciary staff. This restructuring has had profound implications, including opportunities for promotions for those who pursued further studies and retirement packages for those opting to retire based on their qualifications.
Commissioner of Human Resources, Ms. Apophia N. Tumwine, urged the affected staff members to view this as an opportunity for growth and to enroll in further education. “Do not lose hope; use this as a step towards improvement,” she encouraged.
Dr. Bigirimana and Ms. Tumwine addressed various questions from the participants, providing clarity on the restructuring process. Also present were Principal Human Resource Officers Ms. Susan Akello Harriet and Ms. Caroline Aguti Jane, Senior Human Resource Officer Ms. Abaru Sarah, and other Human Resource staff. The meeting was moderated by Mr. Jacob Gwom, Principal Records Officer.
The revised non-judicial staff structure led to the abolition of several positions, including Training Officer, Assistant Librarian, Computer Operator, Data Entry Clerk, Pool Stenographer, Clerical Officer, Office Typist, Records Assistant, and Askari. This restructuring aims to streamline operations within the Judiciary and adapt to the changing needs of the institution.