Key Expert – Technical Assistance to the Government of Uganda for the implementation of Justice and Accountability (JAR) Sector Reform Contract

 As the Key Expert on this project, my main goals were to: (i) do a diagnostic examination of the backlog in courts and the delay in case disposition, which would lead to recommendations for changes in processes and rules of procedure; (ii) support a full automation of case management in courts and the wider Justice, Law, and Order Sector (JLOS) by reviewing and redesigning current business processes and creating a JLOS integration framework; and (iii)  implement capacity building programs for judges, lawyers, and court staff to enhance their skills and knowledge in case management and use of the new automated system. Additionally, I was responsible for monitoring the progress of these initiatives and providing regular reports to stakeholders on the impact of the implemented changes. The following were the outputs:

• Developed an e-justice strategy and work plan to streamline and modernize the judicial system. The e-justice strategy aims to leverage technology to improve access to justice, enhance efficiency in court proceedings, and ensure transparency in the legal process.
• Carried out a diagnostic examination of the case backlogs in courts that aimed to identify the root causes of delays and inefficiencies within the judicial system. This analysis provided valuable insights for implementing targeted strategies and interventions to reduce the backlog and expedite the resolution of cases.
• Conducted a criminal case management process analysis, review, and redesign to streamline and optimize the workflow within the judicial system. This involved identifying bottlenecks, eliminating unnecessary steps, and implementing efficient case management practices. Additionally, support for the development of a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation system was established to track the progress of these reforms and ensure their effectiveness in reducing case backlogs.
• Developed an interoperability framework and supported the development of an integrated Justice Law and Order Sector (JLOS) information system. This system aimed to streamline information sharing and collaboration among different agencies within the justice system, such as the police, department of public prosecutions, courts, and prisons.
• Supported the automation of the management and storage of records in JLOS institutions.
• Strengthened the capacities for operating M&E systems in JLOS institutions.
• Supported the implementation of an electronic-integrated public complaints and referral mechanism for JLOS institutions in Uganda.
• Supported the design and development of the Digital Transcription Assistant, an intelligent speech-to-text system to be used by Ugandan courts customized to the local dialects and languages.