By Tumwine Byaruhanga.
The Administration of Justice Programme has been ranked the second best-performing Central Government programme at the National Performance Review Conference 2026 on Uganda’s Development Agenda.
The Programme was recognised for delivering on the majority of its targets under the Third National Development Plan (NDP III) and the first half of the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV).
The award was presented at a ceremony presided over by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, representing President Yoweri Museveni.
Receiving the award on behalf of the participating institutions, the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Judiciary, Dr Pius Bigirimana, said the recognition reflects the Programme’s contribution to strengthening the rule of law despite ongoing challenges.
The three-day conference, organised by the Office of the Prime Minister, was held at Speke Resort Convention Centre in Munyonyo from April 15 to 17, 2026. It reviewed the Government Annual Performance Report for the 2024/25 financial year and the half-year performance for 2025/26.
Discussions also covered key national and regional priorities, including service delivery at local government level, progress on the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063. The conference further addressed the rollout of Uganda’s Third SDG Roadmap, implementation of the Kampala Declaration from the Eleventh Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development, and strengthening coordination among government, development partners and other stakeholders.
The meeting brought together Cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament, permanent secretaries, ambassadors, representatives of UN agencies, local government leaders, as well as actors from the private sector and civil society.
The Administration of Justice Programme is one of the programmes under NDP IV, following the transition from the former Justice, Law and Order Sector framework.
It is chaired at the top level by the Chief Justice through a Leadership Committee, with a Programme Working Group led by the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Judiciary. Technical Working Groups support implementation across criminal justice, civil justice, institutional coordination, and legal education, training and research.
The Judiciary serves as the lead agency, coordinating the Programme through its Policy and Planning Department.
Other participating institutions include the Judicial Service Commission, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Uganda Police Force, Uganda Prisons Service, Inspectorate of Government, Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Law Development Centre, Tax Appeals Tribunal, Kampala Capital City Authority and the Government Analytical Laboratory.
