JAMAICA CMJA CONFERENCE PREPARATIONS IN FINAL SWING

From FAUSTINE KAPAMA-Judiciary, Kingston Jamaica

Preparations ahead the 2026 Commonwealth Magistrates' and Judges Association (CMJA) Annual Conference scheduled for September 20 to 24, 2026 at Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, Jamaica are in final swing.

The CMJA Vice- President representing the East, Central and Southern Africa region who is also Judge in Charge of the High Court of Tanzania, Tabora Sub-Registry, Hon. Ilvin Mugeta, said here today September 20, 2026, that everything is in the right course.

“Everything is in the right direction. Already 420 members from different Commonwealth countries have confirmed the participation. We are looking forward all members will participate in this important conference,” he said. The Conference is being held with a Theme; "Sustainable Justice, For Today, For Tomorrow, For All."

According to the program released today, the Conference will be officiated by Jamaican Prime Minister, Hon. Andre Michael Holness tomorrow dated September 21, 2026, followed by a number of sessions.

In one session, Judge in Charge of the High Court of Tanzania, Manyara Sub-Registry, Hon. Dr. Adam Mambi, will sit as among panelists to discuss a topic titled; “Data-driven justice: Improving performance and enhancing accountability?”

Other panelists are Chief Justice Sir Gibuma Gibbs Salika from New Guinea, Justice Marva MacDonald Bishop from Jamaica and Justice Dallas Miller from Canada. Other topics to be discussed during the Conference include Open Justice versus Privacy in the Courts,

The rest are “Is Justice Dysfunctional, on its knees with chronic underfunding; Judicial Bullying and Harassment: Could it happen to you; Understanding and dealing with GBV; Current tensions between Judicial Independence and the Rule of Law; Judicial Well-Being: mental health and physical health and Writing Judgment and not novels.”

There would be Specialized Groups during the Conference to discuss “Challenges to Arbitral Awards; Coroners and Pirates: Bodies, Wrecks and Treasures; The Lay Magistracy: Surviving 800 years of Change; Conflicting Rights of the Child and the Parents; Military Justice-What next and Admiralty: Crooked Captains, Escaping Ships.”

There would also breakout discussion groups to discuss various topics, notably “ Are you on a daily diet of vulnerable witnesses or awkward litigants and Protecting Ourselves from online and Physical Threats.”

Nine Judges and 14 other judicial officers from the Judiciary of Tanzania are participating the 2026 CMJA, with Principal Judge of the High Court of Tanzania, Hon. Dr.  Mustapher Mohamed Siyani, leading the delegation from the Judiciary.

On the other hand, President of the Tanzania Magistrate and Judges Association (TMJA), who is also Deputy Registrar of the High Court of Tanzania, Hon. Elimo Massawe, is leading the leadership delegation, also from the Judiciary of Tanzania.

The delegation includes three Justices of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Latifa Mansoor, who is also TMJA Vice-President, Hon. Dr. Yose Mlyambina and Hon. Yohana Masara, who also doubles as Principal Judge of the East African Court of Justice.

Others are five Judges of the High Court, Hon. Dr. Adam Mambi, Hon. Butamo Phillip, Hon. Sharmillah Sarwatt, Hon. Dr. Angelo Rumisha and Hon. Aisha Sinda.             

Also includes the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary of Tanzania, Hon. Eva Nkya, Registrar of the Court of Appeal, Hon. George Hebert, Court of Appeal Administrator Victor Kategere and Senior Deputy Registrar, Hon. Sundi Fimbo.

In the same boat are Personal Assistant to the Chief Justice and Deputy Registrar, Hon. Venance Mlingi, Personal  Assistant to the Principal Judge and Deputy Registrar, Hon. Aidan Mwilapwa, Personal  Assistant to the Chief Registrar and Deputy Registrar, Hon. Dr. Jovin Bishanga and two other Deputy Registrars, Hon. Franco Kiswaga and Hon. Kifungu Mrisho.

Other officials are Secretary General of the TMJA, who is Senior Resident Magistrates, James Mninko, TMJA Deputy Secretary General and Senior Resident Magistrate, Hon. Tedy Mlimba, TMJA Treasurer and Senior Resident Magistrate, Hon. Devotha Kasebele and Publicity Secretary of TMJA and Resident Magistrate, Hon. Fratern Temba.

The rest are Senior Resident Magistrates, Hon. Julieth Musiza and Hon. Adinani Kingazi and Resident Magistrate, Hon. Hassani Chuka. Accompanying the delegation is Protocol Officer Fadhili Mgutta.

The CMJA is a unique position being the only international judicial organization bringing together judicial officers of all ranks and judicial bodies or associations from all parts of the Commonwealth.

It exists to support and inform the work of magistrates and judges and to promote democracy and good governance throughout the Commonwealth and further provide a forum for promoting the highest judicial standards at all levels through training programs, annual educational conferences and capacity building projects.

The CMJA aims to promote better understanding amongst judicial officers of all ranks and from all parts of the Commonwealth on the issue of access to justice and to explore the approach to the issue in different parts of the Commonwealth.

It also aims at advancing the administration of the law by promoting the independence of the Judiciary and advance education in the law, the administration of justice, treatment of offenders and prevention of crime within the Commonwealth.

Commonwealth Magistrates' and Judges Association has been working since 1970 to help and support Judges and Magistrates throughout the Commonwealth countries.

The Vice- President representing the East, Central and Southern Africa region of the Commonwealth Judges and Magistrates' Assocation, who is also Judge in Charge of the High Court of Tanzania, Tabora Sub-Registry, Hon. Ilvin Mugeta, sharing moments with Justice of the Court of Appeal of Tanzania and Principal Judge of the East African Court of Justice, Hon. Yohana Masara (above) and Judge of the High Court of Tanzania, Hon. Butamo Philip (below).

The President of the Tanzania Magistrate and Judges Association (TMJA), who is also Deputy Registrar of the High Court of Tanzania, Hon. Elimo Massawe (right) exchanging views with the Vice- President representing the East, Central and Southern Africa region of the Commonwealth Judges and Magistrates' Assocation, who is also Judge in Charge of the High Court of Tanzania, Tabora Sub-Registry, Hon. Ilvin Mugeta (above) and Judge of the High Court of Tanzania, Hon. Dr. Angelo Rumisha (below)

The Vice- President representing the East, Central and Southern Africa region of the Commonwealth Judges and Magistrates' Assocation, who is also Judge in Charge of the High Court of Tanzania, Tabora Sub-Registry, Hon. Ilvin Mugeta (left) greeting Deputy Registrar and Resident Magistrate in Charge of the Kisutu Resident Magistrate's Court, Hon. Franco Kiswaga.

It is time for Commonwealth Magistrates' and Judges Association (CMJA) Annual Conference Registration with President of the Tanzania Magistrate and Judges Association (TMJA), who is also Deputy Registrar of the High Court of Tanzania, Hon. Elimo Massawe (first left in above picture) taking a lead. In the picture below, it is High Court Judge Butamo Phillip (extremely left in the first line) also taking part in the exercise.