Strategic Plans
5th Strategic Development Plan (SDP V)
The Justice, Law, and Order Sub-programme in Uganda is embedded within the national planning framework as a sector-wide approach (SWAp), which began as an initial, locally based pilot and has evolved into a collaboration that brings together nearly one-third of government institutions. JLOS brings together state and non-state actors who play complementary roles in planning, budgeting, programme implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
Structure of the SDPV
The SDP V has six major sections that include.
- The introduction and background to the SDP V
- The situational analysis
- The SDPV Strategic Framework
- Institutional arrangements and framework for Monitoring and Evaluation
- SDP V Cost and Financing Strategy
JLOS SDP V Results Framework
4th Strategic Development Plan (SDP IV)
The Justice Law and Order Sector (JLOS) 4th Sector Development Plan (SDP IV) builds on earlier achievements to strengthen the rule of law, enhance safety, security of property, and access to justice for inclusive growth.
Under the previous plan (SIP III), JLOS improved public trust (26% to 48%), service satisfaction (59% to 72%), judicial independence, and access to services across 82% of districts. Crime rates and case backlogs reduced, while Uganda’s ease of doing business ranking improved.
However, challenges such as limited rural access, outdated technology, corruption, prison congestion, and new crimes like cybercrime remain.
SDP IV focuses on three key goals:
- Expanding access to justice and JLOS infrastructure.
- Promoting human rights and fighting corruption.
- Strengthening commercial justice and competitiveness.
The plan, costing UGX 5.7 trillion, will be funded mainly by government and development partners. Priorities include one-stop service centers, automation, law reform, and projects for children, women, and vulnerable groups.
Implementation will involve 18 JLOS institutions with strong monitoring and evaluation systems, annual reviews, and a midterm assessment to ensure accountability and results.
3rd Strategic Investment Plan (SIP III)
The Justice Law and Order Sector (JLOS) in Uganda has become a regional model for justice and law reform coordination. Built on a rights-based approach, JLOS brings together over 15 institutions working in family, land, commercial, and criminal justice. The SIP III (2012/13–2016/17) was developed to deepen reforms, strengthen institutional capacity, and expand access to justice for all Ugandans, especially the poor and vulnerable.
SIP III builds on earlier successes in law reform, institutional efficiency, and service expansion achieved under SIP I and II. It aligns with Uganda’s National Development Plan and international human rights commitments, aiming to uphold rights enshrined in the 1995 Constitution and major UN and African human rights instruments.
Key policy shifts under SIP III include:
- Expanding law reform to focus on real-life impact and enforcement.
- Bridging formal and informal justice systems.
- Targeting gender, age, and poverty-based vulnerabilitie.
- Tackling corruption, accountability, and human rights violations.
- Strengthening collaboration with non-state actors and local communities.
SIP III prioritizes sub-national service delivery, channeling resources closer to communities. Major objectives include law and policy reform, improved legal aid, faster case handling, staff retooling, and reduced corruption. ICT and innovation are also emphasized for better coordination and transparency.
By 2016/17, SIP III aimed to deliver:
A stronger legal and policy framework promoting rule of law and rights.
Greater access to justice and a safer society, especially for vulnerable groups.
More accountable, rights-responsive institutions, with public satisfaction rising to 70% and confidence in justice services increasing from 34% to 50%.
2nd Strategic Investment Plan (SIP II)
Period: 2006/07 – 2010/11
The Second Strategic Investment Plan (SIP II) builds on the progress of SIP I (2001–2006), aiming to deepen justice sector reforms with a stronger focus on the poor and marginalized. The plan seeks to improve service delivery, human rights, access to justice, and poverty reduction across Uganda, including conflict-affected regions.
1. Reform Priorities
SIP II is aligned with Uganda’s Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP), focusing on:
- Promoting wealth creation and competitiveness through justice and stability.
- Reducing crime, corruption, and legal uncertainty that increase the cost of doing business.
- Enhancing justice in Commercial, Land, Family, and Criminal sectors.
- Addressing key issues like land disputes, domestic violence, and human rights protection.
2. Guiding Principles
The plan emphasizes:
- Quality justice delivery and improved user confidence.
- Human rights–based approaches and low-cost innovations.
- Equity in service delivery, especially in remote and post-conflict areas.
- Tackling challenges like slow legislation, case backlogs, and limited resources.
Key Focus Areas;
- Law reform and faster case disposal.
- Reducing crime and remand periods.
- Improving justice in conflict zones.
- Rehabilitation of offenders and juvenile diversion.
- Legal awareness, gender mainstreaming, and HIV/AIDS integration.
- Institutional strengthening and inter-agency collaboration.
3. Policy and Planning Framework
Mission: To ensure all people in Uganda live in a safe and just society.
Goal: Enhance quality of life and eliminate poverty through justice, security, and rights.
Motto: “Justice for All.”
Five Key Result Areas (KRAs):
- Rule of law and due process promoted.
- Human rights culture strengthened.
- Access to justice for all enhanced.
- Crime reduced; personal and property security improved.
- JLOS contribution to economic development increased.
4. Implementation and Monitoring
Managed by a strengthened JLOS Secretariat and a Monitoring & Evaluation Framework with measurable outcomes.
Total projected budget: UGX 600.3 billion over three years (~4.9% of national budget).
Emphasis on transparency, efficiency, and stakeholder engagement (including civil society and private sector).
5. Planning and Structure
SIP II was developed through a participatory process involving JLOS institutions, civil society, private sector, and the Nordic Consulting Group.
The document consists of six main sections covering the background, priorities, strategies, management, M&E framework, and financing.
1st Strategic Investment Plan (SIP I)
Despite the social, economic, and political challenges faced, SIP I recorded impressive achievements. Its greatest success was building a sense of unity among justice sector institutions, which by SIP II (2007) had come to view JLOS as a coordination and communication framework rather than just a funding tool. The Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) improved aid management, coherence, and predictability.
SIP II refined objectives to expand access to justice for the poor and marginalized, adding Land and Family Justice as new focus areas. Sustained commitment is required to ensure the continuity of reforms.
Key Findings:
Civic and Legal Education: JLOS increased public awareness through campaigns and partnerships with NGOs, later strengthened by the Legal Aid Basket Fund (2007) to support rights-based education.
Coordination and Data Use: Sector communication and cooperation improved, though stronger inter-sectoral linkages and data systems were needed for better performance monitoring.
Criminal Justice: The Chain Linked Initiative improved coordination and case management, but prisons remained overcrowded and underfunded, with weak health and rehabilitation systems.
Commercial Justice: Establishment of the Commercial Court reduced case backlogs and corruption perceptions. Mediation at CADER improved case settlement, though its funding remained uncertain.
Law Reform: Efforts to update outdated laws were ongoing but slow. SIP II prioritized land registry reform and legislative tracking.
Human Resource Development: Many institutions identified training needs, especially in human rights. SIP II emphasized structured human rights training and stronger links with legal education institutions.
Access to Justice for the Poor: Limited presence in conflict-affected regions improved post-conflict, but women and children still faced barriers. Family and Land Justice programs were added to address these gaps.
Legal Aid and Local Justice: The Legal Aid Service Providers Network (LASPNET) and LCCs improved local justice, though monitoring and funding challenges persisted. Land Tribunals were suspended due to inefficiency but are under review for possible reform.