The Permanent Secretary to the Judiciary, Dr Pius Bigirimana, has been awarded the 2026 Responsible Investment Global Award by Public Opinions, in recognition of what organisers described as his role in advancing judicial reforms in Uganda.
The award highlights his leadership in strengthening the justice system since 2019 under the broader national governance framework linked to President Museveni’s administration.
According to the Judiciary’s Annual Performance Report 2025, case backlog reduced from over 30 percent to 24.2 percent, while judicial officers averaged 478 case disposals each, a development credited with reducing long-standing delays in the justice system.
The report also points to infrastructure expansion, including the construction of permanent court buildings across the country aimed at reducing rental costs and improving access to justice services.
Another key reform is the rollout of the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS), now operational in 31 courts, enabling virtual hearings and digital case tracking within the judiciary.
The system is part of broader digitisation efforts within the Judiciary of Uganda to modernise court operations and improve efficiency.
Public trust in the judiciary is reported to have risen from 59 percent in 2018 to 82 percent in 2025, according to the same performance data.
Speaking after receiving the award, Bigirimana thanked the organisers and reflected on public service and accountability.
“I want to thank Public Opinions for this recognition, because many people are only recognized after they have passed on. This honour encourages me to continue serving the people of Uganda,” he said.
He added: “It is not enough for a country to have resources—it is equally important that those resources are used for the benefit of its people. We all have a duty to this country, and if we fail to make our contribution, future generations will judge us very harshly.”
Bigirimana was recognised alongside several Ugandan figures, including businessman Sudhir Ruparelia and Chief of Defence Forces Muhoozi Kainerugaba, in what organisers described as a broader recognition of national development actors.
With a long career in public service, including roles in the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Bigirimana has previously been associated with administrative and institutional reform efforts within government structures.
The award adds to ongoing debate around governance performance metrics and the impact of administrative reforms in Uganda’s public institutions.
