CHIEF JUSTICES’ KAMPALA FORUM ADOPTS TEN RESOLUTIONS OVER JUDICIARY REFORMS

By FAUSTINE KAPAMA, Judiciary of Tanzania-Kampala

The Southern and Eastern Africa Chief Justices’ Forum (SEACJF), which was being held at Speke Resort Munyonyo here has adopted ten resolutions on judicial reforms aimed at enhancing access to justice, promotion of rule of law and human rights and enhancing good governance.

Such resolutions were adopted by the Forum convened in Uganda starting October 1, 2024, under the theme, “Enhanced Access to Justice: Underscoring Reforms in African Judiciaries” before the closing ceremony officiated by Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Republic of Uganda, Hon. Thomas Tayebwa.

The conclusion of the Forum paves ways for the Chief Justices to hold their Annual General Meeting scheduled for Friday dated October 4, 2024 at the same venue in the morning to discuss various judicial matters relating to dispensing of justice in countries of their jurisdictions.

Resolutions adopted include Chief Justices affirming the importance and operational independence as essential to the administration of justice and that member jurisdictions are encouraged to continue implementing legal and institutional reforms in access to justice, particularly for marginalized and vulnerable communities. 

The Forum agreed to initiate and support comprehensive baseline studies across member jurisdictions to examine and document how some judiciaries in the region have successfully secured adequate funding and that studies would identify best practices, funding modals and strategies used by the judiciaries to achieve financial and operational autonomy.

“That the findings of these studies will be disseminated and discussed during future conferences to provide guidance and recommendation to judiciary specific challenges. That members are encouraged where there is a need to utilize the findings of these studies to advocate for increase government budgetary allocation,” a section of resolutions reads.

Furthermore, members of the Forum admitted that the access to justice reforms should not be limited to addressing disputes already within the court system, but must include proactive measures in preventing disputes formalizing in the first place and that members jurisdictions are urged to continue to initiate and establish specialized courts where appropriate to address specific legal needs.

The Chief Justice resolved that while recognizing the fact that individual members have set up processes to the selection of judges within their judiciaries, members are at liberty to continue improving their transparent and merit-based selection under appointment process for judges and judicial officers, free from undue influence reflecting the principles of independence and accountability.

In addition, the Forum also resolved to have a strengthened regional cooperation between judiciaries and fostering dialogue, knowledge exchange and sharing best practices to address common legal challenges.

During the Forum, the member jurisdictions explored the importance of reforming judicial systems to ensure they remain relevant, accessible and effective to the delivery of justice.

The Chief Justice of Tanzania, His Lordship Prof. Ibrahim Hamis Juma led the delegation from Tanzania to attend the Forum in question. Other members were Court of Appeal Justice Leila Edith Mgonya, the Chief Justice of Zanzibar, His Lordship Khamis Ramadhan Abdalla, High Court of Tanzania Judge Kamazima Kafanabo Idd and Judge Ibrahim Mzee Ibrahim from the High Court of Zanzibar.

Other members of the delegation comprised Zanzibar Chief Court Administrator Kai Bashir Mbarouk, Personal Assistant to the Chief Justice of Tanzania Venance Mlingi, Director of Planning from Judiciary of Zanzibar Salum Mohamed Salum and Chief of Protocol of Judiciary of Tanzania Juma Kapombe Mshana.

The Chief Justice of Tanzania, His Lordship Prof. Ibrahim Hamis Juma signing a document after arriving at the conference hall before the closing session of the Southern and Eastern Africa Chief Justices’ Forum.

The Chief Justice of Tanzania, His Lordship Prof. Ibrahim Hamis Juma (above and below) arriving at the conference hall accompanies by Protocol Officers from the Judiciary of Rwanda.

The Chief Justice of Zanzibar, His Lordship Khamis Ramadhan Abdalla arriving at the conference hall.

The Chief Justice of Tanzania, His Lordship Prof. Ibrahim Hamis Juma (right) discussing some judicial issues with the Chief Justice of Zanzibar, His Lordship Khamis Ramadhan Abdalla before closing ceremony of the Forum.

A section of delegation from Tanzania attending the Forum. Right is Court of Appeal Justice Leila Edith Mgonya and left is  High Court of Tanzania Judge Kamazima Kafanabo Idd. Behind them are Zanzibar Chief Court Administrator Kai Bashir Mbarouk (left) and Director of Planning from Judiciary of Zanzibar Salum Mohamed Salum.

 

The Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Republic of Uganda, Hon. Thomas Tayebwa (centre seated) in group picture with the Chief Justices after the closing session of the Forum. Fourth from right who are standing is the Chief Justice of Tanzania, His Lordship Prof. Ibrahim Hamis Juma and the first right is Chief Justice of Zanzibar, His Lordship Khamis Ramadhan Abdalla.