The Chief Justice, Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, has named James Ereemye Jumire Mawanda as the new Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the Judiciary in Uganda.
Mawanda, who currently serves as the Acting Registrar in Charge of Magistrates Affairs and Data Management, will take over from Jamson Karemani Karemera, who recently became a High Court Judge following an appointment by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
Karemani had held the PRO position for five years since 2019.
Chief Justice Owiny-Dollo’s appointment letter, dated August 28th, 2023, indicates that Mawanda will assume the role of Public Relations Officer alongside his existing responsibilities as a Registrar.
In this new capacity, Mawanda will oversee the Communications and Public Relations unit and lead a team of professional Communications Officers. He will also serve as the spokesperson for the Judiciary, deputizing the Chief Registrar, Sarah Langa Siu.
The Judiciary’s Principal Communications Officer, Sheila Wamboga, stated in a released statement that Mawanda’s role as PRO aligns with the Judiciary Strategic Plan’s objectives of enhancing public awareness and improving the Judiciary’s image.
Langa Siu praised the appointment, welcoming Mawanda’s potential to advance these goals. She also expressed gratitude for Justice Karemani’s past contributions as the former PRO.
Mawanda brings substantial judicial experience to his new role, having spent 27 years ascending through various positions within the judiciary system.
His journey has taken him from Magistrate Grade III Trainee to Magistrate Grade II, Magistrate Grade I, Chief Magistrate, Deputy Registrar, and Acting Registrar.
He has previously worked in notable Chief Magistrate Courts including Nakawa, Buganda Road, and Mbale.
Mawanda’s involvement in the judicial sector extends beyond his role as a Registrar and now as PRO. He is a member of the Judiciary Council, representing the Lower Bench.
The Judiciary Council, established under the Administration of the Judiciary Act, 2020, offers advisory insights to the Chief Justice.
Mawanda is also part of the Law Council and holds a position on the Disciplinary Committee of the Law Council. Additionally, he serves on the Executive Committee of the Uganda Judicial Officers Association as a representative of Registrars.