President Museveni Appoints Six People As High Court Registrars in Acting Capacity

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has in exercise of Article 145(2) of the constitution and upon the advice of the Judicial Service Commission appointed six persons as Registrars of the High Court persons in acting capacities.

The President’s appointment is based on advice from the Judicial Service Commission the body in charge of recruitment and regulating the conduct of the Judicial Service Commission.

They include: Pamela Lamunu Ocaya, Prossy Katushabe, James Ereemye Jumire Mawanda, Simon Kintu Zirintusa, Allen Rukundo Owembabazi and Thadius AyebareTumwebaze.

In a statement released on July 17, 2023, the Judiciary’s Chief Registrar Sarah Langa Siu, says these appointments bring to 12, the total number of full Registrars thereby representing 100% of the approved structure of that category of Judicial Officers.

The Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny Dollo extended his gratitude to the President for fulfilling his promise of ensuring that the Judiciary has the necessary manpower for the efficient and effective administration of justice.

The Chief Justice also observed that filling the manpower gaps will ensure that the Judiciary fully implements its transformational agenda of enhancing access to justice, which is already underway.

The President last appointed judicial officers in Acting Capacities in 2022 and his decision was challenged successfully by Makerere University Law Don Dr Kabumba Busigye and lawyer Andrew Karamagi. The Constitutional Court ruled that appointing judges in an acting capacity contravenes the 1995 Constitution.

About the Justices

Pamela Lamunu Ocaya

HW Lamunu joined the Judiciary in 2009 as a Magistrate Grade I and has grown through the ranks. At the time of her appointment as a Registrar, she has been substantively the Deputy Registrar at the Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court. She holds a Master of Laws degree in International Legal Studies from Georgetown University Law Centre, Washington DC, USA. She equally holds a Master of Business Administration from the Uganda Management Institute. She is the recipient of the Leadership and Advocacy for Women in Africa Fellowship.

Prossy Katushabe

She is a career Judicial officer who has risen through the ranks over a period of 14 years. At the time of her appointment, she was serving as the Deputy Registrar at the Family Division of the High Court. She holds a Master’s Degree in Management Studies from the Uganda Management Institute and a Post Graduate Diploma in Social Justice from Makerere University. She is the Vice President of the Uganda Judicial Officers Association (UJOA).

James Ereemye Jumire Mawanda

He has 27 years of working experience as a judicial officer at different Registries and magisterial areas. At the time of his appointment as Registrar, he was serving as a Deputy Registrar at the Registry of Magistrates Affairs and Data Management. He is also a member of the Judiciary Council representing the Lower Bench. The Judiciary Council is an advisory organ to the Chief Justice established under the Administration of the Judiciary Act, 2020.

Simon Kintu Zirintusa

Zirintusa joined the Judiciary in 2004 as a Magistrate Grade One and rose through the ranks to the position of Assistant Registrar, which portfolio he has been holding until his new appointment. At the date of his appointment as Registrar, he was deployed to the Civil Division as Assistant Registrar. Zirintusa has undergone specialized training in judgment writing at Seattle School of Law, USA, and also trained on the Critical Role of the Judiciary in Combating Trafficking in Human Beings at Golda Meir Mount Camel International University.

Allen Rukundo Owembabazi

She has been working at the Judicial Service Commission and at the time of her appointment, she was serving as a Deputy Registrar Anti-Corruption Advisory and Inspection.

Thadius Ayebare Tumwebaze He is a Deputy Registrar currently managing a special assignment as Private Legal Secretary to the Chief Justice of Uganda. He holds a Masters of Laws degree from Makerere University and has published reference books on a number of law subjects including civil procedure, administrative law, land law, and criminal procedure. He has a special interest in Mediation as an Alternative Dispute Resolution System