ENTEBBE — The Judicial Training Institute (JTI), in partnership with the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), has launched a three-day capacity-building programme for members, mediators and legal officers of the Tax Appeals Tribunal (TAT) to strengthen the delivery of tax justice in Uganda.
The training, being held at Protea Hotel in Entebbe, is part of a broader initiative to enhance the Tribunal's institutional capacity, improve transparency and efficiency, and expand access to tax justice.
It has brought together Tribunal members, registrars, legal officers, mediators and other stakeholders for practical sessions on judgment writing, evaluation of evidence, mediation, negotiation, judicial ethics and alternative dispute resolution.
Opening the training, Deputy Chief Justice Dr Mike Chibita commended the Tax Appeals Tribunal for prioritising continuous professional development and institutional improvement.
He also applauded IDLO, led by Country Director Barbara Kilei, for supporting justice sector reforms and expanding access to justice.
Justice Chibita said the Administration of the Judiciary Judicial Training Institute Regulations, 2025 empower JTI to train judicial officers and other justice sector actors approved by the Executive Director.
He encouraged the Tribunal to work with JTI in identifying priority areas for inclusion in the Institute's 2026/27 training calendar.
"JTI has adopted a results-oriented approach to judicial education. Training is a strategic investment in institutional performance rather than an event measured by attendance or certificates," Chibita said.
He added that every training programme should address institutional challenges, strengthen professional competence and deliver measurable improvements in the administration of justice.
Justice Chibita identified judgment writing, evaluation of evidence, mediation and judicial ethics as essential competencies for effective adjudication.
He said well-reasoned judgments enhance predictability, facilitate appellate review and strengthen public confidence in the justice system, while mediation offers a faster and more cost-effective means of resolving disputes.
Chibita also highlighted the significance of the Judicature (Court-Annexed Mediation) Rules, 2026, saying they reinforce mediation as an integral component of justice delivery through structured timelines, accredited mediators and enforceable settlement agreements.
He urged participants to actively engage with facilitators and apply the knowledge gained to improve service delivery through timely decisions, increased use of mediation and more efficient disposal of tax disputes.
Tax Appeals Tribunal Registrar Solomon Wamai said the programme reflects the Tribunal's commitment to strengthening tax justice through continuous learning and professional development.
He thanked JTI and IDLO for partnering with the Tribunal and said the training would enhance participants' skills in judgment writing, legal reasoning, evaluation of evidence, mediation, negotiation and judicial ethics.
Wamai encouraged participants to actively contribute to discussions and share experiences to maximise the benefits of the programme.
IDLO Country Director Barbara Kilei described the training as the beginning of a new partnership between the organisation and the Tax Appeals Tribunal.
She said the initiative is intended to strengthen public confidence in tax justice by improving the quality, clarity and timeliness of the Tribunal's decisions.
Kilei said the Tribunal resolved 365 cases during the 2025/26 financial year, unlocking approximately Shs766 billion back into the economy.
Of those, 177 cases worth about Shs202.5 billion were resolved through mediation, underscoring the growing importance of alternative dispute resolution in tax administration.
