SEAJAA Chairperson Addresses Media, Announces Upcoming Elections for New Leadership
(L-R): Dr. Pius Bigirimana, Permanent Secretary/Secretary, Prof. Elisante Ole Gabriel and Chief Registrar HW Sarah Langa Siu at the Supreme Court Grounds
Earlier, Prof. Elisante Ole Gabriel, Chairperson of the Southern and Eastern Africa Judicial Administrators Association (SEAJAA) and Chief Court Administrator of Tanzania, addressed the media at a press briefing held at the Supreme Court Conference Hall, Judiciary Headquarters in Kampala.
The briefing provided an update on SEAJAA's achievements, including membership growth and the agenda of the Association's today's meeting. An update on the Southern and Eastern Africa Chief Justices' Forum (SEACJF) 2024 was also shared.
Present at the briefing were members of the SEAJAA Executive Committee, including Vice Chairperson Ms. Beaulah Kgakgamatso Mguni, Chief Registrar of Botswana's High Court, and other association members.
Notable Ugandan officials in attendance included Dr. Pius Bigirimana, Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Judiciary, Chief Registrar HW Sarah Langa Siu, and Under Secretary Ms. Maureen Kasande.
Delegates from other SEAJAA member countries and journalists from various media houses were also present.
Prof. Elisante expressed SEAJAA's gratitude to Uganda for its warm hospitality. He emphasized the crucial role of the media in sharing SEAJAA's progress with the public, noting that each press briefing offers an opportunity to update people on the association's work.
He highlighted SEAJAA's achievements, particularly its expanding membership. He announced that the Association now has 14 member States, with Kenya being the latest addition. Referring to Kenya as SEAJAA's "newborn baby," he emphasized the significance of Kenya's inclusion in the association and expressed confidence that more countries would join in the future.
Prof. Elisante explained that SEAJAA is embedded in the Southern and Eastern Africa Chief Justices' Forum (SEACJF), from which member states derive significant benefits. He stressed the importance of all member countries understanding the value of being part of SEAJAA, with the media playing a key role in conveying that message.
As the outgoing Chairperson, Prof. Elisante reflected on the Association's evolution over the past two years. During this period, it transitioned from SAJAA (Southern Africa Judicial Administrators Association) to SEAJAA, adding "Eastern" to the name to better represent the full region. He noted that this change was particularly meaningful for him as a representative from the Eastern Bloc and that the Chief Justice Forum quickly adopted the new name, solidifying the association's regional identity.
He also spoke about SEAJAA's mission to grow its membership and expressed hope that the incoming leadership would continue this expansion. He emphasized the association's philosophy of solidarity, where member states collaborate rather than compete, working together to improve justice delivery across Africa.
Prof. Elisante also highlighted SEAJAA's efforts to engage and connect with the International Court Administrators Association (ICAA), which has helped boost the association's global profile.
Looking ahead, he stressed the importance of setting high standards to ensure that future generations find SEAJAA not only growing in size but also in its contribution to the justice system.
He also informed the media that the association's today's meeting would include are port on the financial status of the association, updates on constitutional amendments and regulations to guide SEAJAA's operations, and elections for new office bearers to serve for the next three years.
During the briefing, Dr. Bigirimana informed the media that the President of the Republic of Uganda is expected to open the Southern and Eastern Africa Chief Justices' Forum (SEACJF) - 2024 tomorrow at Speke Resort, Munyonyo, Kampala.
The event, hosted by the Ugandan Judiciary, is scheduled to take place from 30th September to 5th October 2024 at Speke Resort, Munyonyo, Kampala. It will be held under the theme: "Enhanced Access to Justice: Underscoring Reforms in African Judiciaries."
This year, about 19 Chief Justices from member countries are expected to attend, including representatives from Uganda, Lesotho, Eswatini, Angola, Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Seychelles, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and others.
Posted 30th, September 2024
