JUDICIARY OF TANZANIA: JAMAICA CMJA CONFERENCE TAKES OFF

Jamaican Prime Minister says Judiciary independence must be protected
Governor General seeks Judiciary response to realities
Judiciary of Tanzania receives extol

From FAUSTINE KAPAMA-Judiciary, Kingston Jamaica

The Prime Minister of Jamaica, Hon. Andre Michael Holness, today, September 21, 2026, opened an international conference taking place in the city here, bringing together Judges and Magistrates from Commonwealth countries to discuss various judicial issues.

Speaking at the opening ceremony held at Pegasus Hotel, the Prime Minister expressing commitment of rule of law and effective judiciaries, insisting that the rule of law is fundamental to the functioning of free and democratic society.

He told the well-attended Commonwealth Magistrates' and Judges Association (CMJA) Annual Conference that the rule of law protects rights and liberties of every citizen and establishes framework within which disputes are resolved peacefully.

“Rule of law provides businesses and investors the confidence that agreements will be respected and property rights protected and critically, it ensures that no person or institution stands above the law,” the Prime Minister said.

Therefore, he said, independence of the Judiciary must be protected, not merely as a constitutional principal, but as an essential safeguard of democracy itself, thus enabling judicial officers to discharge their duties impartially and without fear, favour or improper influence

He said further that Jamaica was honoured to hold such Conference, which provides opportunities to learn from each other, to compare experiences, examine emerging challenges, share innovations and examine how administration of justice can continue to revolve, while preserving principals upon which legal system rests.

In his greetings to the Conference, Governor-General, His Excellency, Sir Patrick Allen, noted that the delegates were meeting at a consequential time for the administration of justice.

He pointed out that the courts over which they preside today bear little resemblance, in some respects, to those of a generation ago, due to technology altering the way that justice is administered.

“Citizens rightly expect institutions to be more accessible, more efficient and more responsive. New and increasingly complex questions are being placed before our courts, even while long-standing challenges of delay, resources and access remain. The judiciary must, therefore, respond to these realities,” he said.

Referring to the Conference theme, ‘Sustainable Justice For Today, For Tomorrow, For All’, the Governor General said that sustainable justice cannot simply mean courts that function efficiently today.

“It has to contemplate institutions sufficiently resilient to serve generations we will never meet, legal systems capable of embracing innovation without surrendering principle, and judiciaries sufficiently independent to administer justice without fear, favour or undue influence,” he explained.

The Governor General also noted that gatherings such as the CMJA Conference are important in providing a space in which judicial officers may learn from one another, confront common challenges and strengthen the principles upon which the administration of justice depends.

He said that while the respective legal systems may differ in scale and circumstance, they are connected by a profound responsibility to preserve public confidence in justice and to ensure that the institutions of justice are strengthened.

Speaking during the session, the Chief Justice of Jamaica, Hon. Bryan Sykes, said that the Commonwealth represents a unique community of nations bound not merely by history, but by shared values such as democracy, judicial independence, the separation of powers and respect for human rights.

He explained that the CMJA Conference, therefore, provides a vital forum for Magistrates and Judges of all ranks to engage in thoughtful dialogue, exchange experiences and strengthen professional bonds in furtherance of these ideals.

“At a time when judiciaries worldwide confront evolving challenges, ranging from technological transformation and case backlogs to threats to judicial independence and public confidence, our collective engagement is more important than ever…

“Conferences such as this allow us to reflect critically, learn from one another’s innovations and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to accessible, transparent and efficient justice systems,” the Chief Justice said.

During the opening session, the Judiciary of Tanzania was commended for emerging among five best judiciaries among Commonwealth countries to send larger number of delegations to the Conference. It became third for having 33 delegates, coming behind Kenya and Uganda with 42 delegates each.

Nine Judges and 15 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 Mniko, 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 Principal Resident Magistrates, Hon. Wilberforce Luhwago, Senior resident Magistrates, Hon. Julieth Musiza and Hon. Adinani Kingazi and Resident Magistrate, Hon. Hassani Chuka. Accompanying the delegation is Protocol Officer Fadhili Mgutta.

Judges and other judicial officers from the Judiciary of Tanzania (above and below) following opening ceremony proceeding of the 2026 Commonwealth Magistrates' and Judges Association (CMJA) Annual Conference.

Another sesction of Judges and other judicial officers from the Judiciary of Tanzania (above and two pictures below) following the opening ceremony proceedings of the Conference.