The International Crimes Division (ICD) held a staff meeting at its court premises, bringing together judges and staff to strengthen coordination, professionalism, and service delivery within the Division.
The meeting was chaired by the Head of Division, Justice Andrew Bashaija, who underscored the importance of unity of purpose and institutional alignment. He commended staff for their dedication and noted that every role within the Division is critical to the delivery of justice, particularly given the complex and high-stakes nature of ICD work.
Justice Bashaija emphasised teamwork and seamless coordination, urging staff to ensure continuity of court operations even in the absence of individual officers. He called on court clerks to remain proactive in supporting uninterrupted proceedings.
On capacity building, he encouraged translators to expand their linguistic competencies, particularly in widely used languages such as Lusoga and Swahili, to enhance communication and efficiency. He also stressed the need for strict confidentiality in handling case files and cautioned against unauthorized sharing of court information, reiterating that all communication must follow official channels.
The Deputy Head of Division, Lady Justice Susan Okalany, called for professionalism and proper conduct, urging staff facing personal challenges to seek medical and counselling support. She highlighted the critical role of interpretation in proceedings involving diverse participants and encouraged reflection on factors affecting productivity and institutional growth.
Justice Richard Wejuli Wabwire raised concerns about the adequacy of assessors, calling for a review of their availability and effectiveness, while Lady Justice Alice Komuhangi Khaukha emphasised the need for structured training programmes to strengthen interpretation services.
The Registrar in charge of the Division, HW Juliet Harty Hatanga, reaffirmed management's commitment to supporting staff through guidance and regular engagements. She emphasised continuous improvement, professionalism, and alignment with institutional standards, noting the need to escalate translation challenges to senior management for enhanced support.
She also encouraged staff to pursue continuous self-improvement to enhance competence and effectiveness in their roles.
Representing support staff, Office Supervisor Ms. Racheal Kapelo expressed appreciation for the leadership and organisation of the meeting. She emphasised professional appearance, adherence to uniform standards, vigilance over personal belongings, and the importance of customer care in handling court users with dignity and responsiveness.
Staff also highlighted the need for improved courtroom equipment, particularly to support transcription services in line with the transition towards a paperless system.
Participants welcomed the meeting as a valuable platform for engagement, emphasising the importance of regular interactions to strengthen performance and institutional cohesion.
The meeting was moderated by Magistrate Grade One Research, HW Julian Nabaasa.
Posted 8th, April 2026
