Day I. Of Benchmarking Visit Concentrates on Criminal Justice Communication, Strategic Partnerships
The Chief Corporate Affairs and Public Relations Officer of the Malawi Judiciary, Ms. Ruth Mputeni, has continued her benchmarking engagement with the Uganda Judiciary, with Day IV focusing on criminal justice communication and institutional partnerships.
During a courtesy call on the Head of the Criminal Division, Justice David Matovu, Ms. Mputeni received a detailed briefing on the complex and sensitive nature of criminal justice administration. Justice Matovu noted that the Division handles highly emotive matters involving accused persons, victims, and the public, requiring judicial officers to balance legal precision with human sensitivity. He emphasized the principle of presumption of innocence, stressing that all accused persons must be treated with dignity and fairness.
He further underscored the need to maintain a delicate balance between transparency and judicial integrity, particularly in media engagement. While acknowledging the media's critical role in informing the public, he called for professional, accurate, and impartial reporting that does not prejudice ongoing proceedings. He also cautioned against disorderly conduct in court, including unauthorized photography of judicial officers, noting that such actions undermine courtroom decorum and security.
The Deputy Head of the Criminal Division, Justice Emmanuel Baguma, also engaged Ms. Mputeni in discussions on comparative approaches to judicial communication. The exchange explored Malawi's communication structures, including media briefings, accreditation of court reporters, and strategies for managing communication in specialized courts.
Ms. Mputeni noted that her visit aims to benchmark best practices to support the establishment and strengthening of the Corporate Affairs and Public Relations Unit in the Malawi Judiciary. As part of her practical learning, she also observed media coverage of the high-profile case of Uganda vs Molly Katanga, commending the Judiciary's structured management of media access and courtroom conduct as a model for disciplined reporting.
The engagement was further enriched by contributions from HW Nanteza Zuliaka, who outlined the objectives of the study tour, and HW Isingoma Shamilah Tindikahwa, a Magistrate Grade I Research attached to Justice Matovu's chambers.
In a subsequent meeting, Ms. Mputeni met with the Registrar of Research , Planning and Development, HW John Paul Edoku, who provided insights into how the Judiciary coordinates and manages partnerships with development partners. He highlighted a structured communication framework guiding engagements with partners such as UNDP, UNODC, UN Women, UNICEF, and IDLO.
HW Edoku emphasized that these partnerships support key Judiciary initiatives, including the rollout of video conferencing systems, implementation of the Electronic Case Management Information System (ECCMIS), court open days, gender-based violence interventions, and juvenile justice programmes. He noted that engagements with partners are formal and strategic, involving structured correspondence, technical meetings, and coordinated follow-ups to ensure accountability and alignment with institutional priorities.
Ms. Mputeni expressed appreciation for the openness and depth of knowledge share dduring the engagements. She commended the Judiciary's approach to handling sensitive criminal matters, maintaining media discipline, and fostering structured partnerships. She described the visit as highly informative and instrumental in shaping the future of judicial communications in Malawi.
Posted 26th, March 2026
