UGANDA PRINCIPAL JUDGE CALLS CONTINUITY COOPERATION BETWEEN UGANDA, TANZANIA JUDICIARIES

By FAUSTINE KAPAMA-Judiciary

THE Principal Judge of the High Court of Uganda, Hon. Dr. Flavian Zeija, has called for continuity cooperation between the Judiciaries of Uganda and Tanzania in order foster collaborations and advance common goals of dispensing justice to the people.

Speaking on the second day of the visit to Tanzania after meeting his host, Principal Judge of the High Court of Tanzania, Hon. Mustapher Mohamed Siyani, Hon. Dr. Zeije said there are lot to share between the two judiciaries.

"Please, welcome to our country, these are two brotherly countries, there are lot that we can share. Thank you very much, let us keep our relationship running, " he said.

The Principal Judge of Uganda, who has been accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the Judiciary of Uganda, Dr. Pius Biligimana, thanked for the hospitality he received from his host since he jetted into the country on Tuesday.

"We will revenge when you come to Uganda," he jokingly said. Hon. Dr. Zeija expressed his gratitude for having opportunity to visit the Judiciary of Tanzania in order to learn various judicial issues that are in place.

He revealed that they were in Tanzania sometime a year back and were taken at the Institute Judicial Administration (IJA) Lushoto, but when they reached there they were surprised as comparing to their Institute was like a kitchen.

“We realized Tanzania has a lot to show us and in fact when we left that place we went to get a 20 hectre of land, like the one we saw at Lushoto. So, you can see there are a lot we are learning from Tanzania,” Uganda’s Principal Judge said.

Speaking after receiving his guest, the Principal Judge of the High Court of Tanzania extended his warm welcome to the two Ugandan leaders as their visit hold special significance, equal and shared commitment of the two judiciaries to fostering collaborations and mutual learning. 

He appreciated his guests’ interests, particularly Tanzanian’s judiciary strategies for developing Court infrastructure and effectively addressing case delays and backlogs.

Hon. Siyani recalled the fruitful discussions that transpired in Accra Ghana last year and the visit led by the Ugandan Chief Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo on Mei, 24, 2022.

“It is heartening to witness the realization of the express desire to come back and delve deeper into our practices. We deeply value your presence and opportunity for meaningful exchange and collaborations between our two judiciaries,” Tanzania’s Principal Judge said.

He pointed out that such a visit is significant, as they would share insights and knowledge to advance the common goals of the two judiciaries.

“We are excited to engage in constructive discussions and learn from each other's experiences. Welcome to Tanzania, and we look forward to a productive and enriching time together,” Hon. Siyani said.

The Principal Judge of Uganda is in Tanzania for five official visits. According to the time table, he yesterday toured the Integrated Justice Centre for Family Matters at Temeke in Dar es Salaam and also witnessed how the Mobile Court operates.

He is also expected to leave for Dodoma tomorrow to tour the Judiciary of Tanzania Head Quarters building and the Integrated Justice Centre of Dodoma before coming back to the commercial city of Dar es Salaam on Friday for other related visit matters.

This is the second time senior leaders of the Ugandan Judiciary are visiting their Tanzania counterparts. The first visit was made by the Chief Justice of Uganda, Hon. Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo on May 24, 2022 with the aim of sharing experiences of various things.

Justice Owiny-Dollo met his host, the Chief Justice of Tanzania, Prof. Ibrahim Juma in his office in Dar es Salaam and after a short conversation with the aim of building cooperation in various judicial matters, he went to Tanga to visit the Institute of Judicial Administration Lushoto.

While in Lushoto, the Chief Justice of Uganda and his delegation had the opportunity to share experiences with the leaders of the Institute, including how it works.

THE Principal Judge of the High Court of Uganda, Hon. Dr. Flavian Zeija stressing a point when speaking with Tanzanian judicial officials today August 1, 2023 on the second day of his visit to the Judiciary of Tanzania.

Principal Judge of the High Court of Tanzania, Hon. Mustapher Mohamed Siyani (above and bellow) speaking to Ugandan delegation, including his counterpart, Hon. Dr. Flavian Zeija in his office in Dar es Salaam.

Principal Judge of the High Court of Uganda, Hon. Dr. Flavian Zeija is being received by Judge of the High Court of Tanzania, Main Registry, Hon. Latifa Mansoor after arriving at the High Court in Dar es Salaam to meet with his host, Tanzania's Principal Judge, Hon. Mustapher Mohamed Siyani. Right is the Judge in Charge of the High Court, Dar es Salaam Zone. Hon. Salma Maghimbi.

Principal Judge of the High Court of Uganda, Hon. Dr. Flavian Zeija (right) is being received by his host, Principal Judge of the High Court of Tanzania, Hon. Mustapher Mohamed Siyani. The picture bellow, the two judicial leaders shake hands, as a sign of exchanging greetings.

The Principal Judge of the High Court of Tanzania, Hon. Mustapher Mohamed Siyani (left) welcoming the Permanent Secretary of the Judiciary of Uganda, Dr. Pius Biligimana, who is part of the Ugandan delegation.

The Registrar of the High Court of Tanzania, Hon. Sharmillah Sarwatt introduces judicial officers who attended the visit of the Ugandan delegation.

Some of the Judges of the High Court of Tanzania, who were also in attendance. From right is Hon. Latifa Mansoor, Hon. Salma Maghimbi and Hon. Wilfred Ndyasobera.

Top High Court of Tanzania officials keenly following the proceedings. From right is Court Administrator Leonard Magacha and Registrar, Hon. Sharmillah Sarwatt.

Principal Judge of the High Court of Tanzania, Hon. Mustapher Mohamed Siyani (left) hands a gift to his guest, Principal Judge of the High Court of Uganda, Hon. Dr. Flavian Zeija.

Principal Judge of the High Court of Tanzania, Hon. Mustapher Mohamed Siyani (left) hands a gift to Permanent Secretary of the Judiciary of Uganda, Dr. Pius Biligimana.

Principal Judge of the High Court of Tanzania, Hon. Mustapher Mohamed Siyani (left) and his guest, Principal Judge of the High Court of Uganda, Hon. Dr. Flavian Zeija (all seated) in a group photograph with Judges of the High Court of Tanzania.

Principal Judge of the High Court of Tanzania, Hon. Mustapher Mohamed Siyani (left) and his guest, Principal Judge of the High Court of Uganda, Hon. Dr. Flavian Zeija (all seated) in a group photograph with Chief Court Administrator, Prof. Elisante Ole Gabriel (left), Permanent Secretary of the Judiciary of Uganda, Dr. Pius Biligimana (centre) and Chief Registrar, Hon. Wilbert Chuma.

rincipal Judge of the High Court of Tanzania, Hon. Mustapher Mohamed Siyani (left) and his guest, Principal Judge of the High Court of Uganda, Hon. Dr. Flavian Zeija (all seated) in a group photograph with other senior judicial officers.