The acting Chief Registrar, Lamunu Pamella Ocaya, on Tuesday hosted Ruth Mputeni, Chief Corporate Affairs and Public Relations Officer of the Malawi Judiciary, who paid a courtesy call at the Judiciary Headquarters in Kampala as part of her ongoing study tour.
Welcoming the visiting official, Lamunu highlighted the Judiciary’s commitment to openness, institutional learning, and knowledge sharing across jurisdictions.
She emphasized the deliberate investment in structured communication systems aimed at strengthening internal coordination and enhancing public engagement.
She noted that the Judiciary leverages multiple communication platforms, including dedicated WhatsApp forums connecting judicial officers and staff across various levels—from Supreme Court Justices to clerks and support staff—ensuring timely information flow and institutional cohesion.
Lamunu further explained that she serves as the official spokesperson of the Judiciary, with delegated communication responsibilities entrusted to Registrar and Public Relations Officer, James Ereemye Jumire Mawanda, who leads a professional and dynamic communications team.
Emphasizing the scale of her administrative mandate, the Acting Chief Registrar shared that she oversees the welfare and coordination of over 500 judicial officers, a responsibility that demands a strong and responsive communication function.
“Without a well-coordinated and proactive Public Relations team, it would be extremely difficult to effectively manage communication across the Judiciary,” she said, stressing the importance of a vibrant communications unit.
She wished Mputeni a productive study tour and encouraged her to experience Uganda beyond the formal programme.
During the meeting, the Public Relations Officer briefed the Acting Chief Registrar on the structured one-week study programme designed for the visiting officer. Developed in collaboration with the Deputy Registrar in charge of the Judicial Training Institute, Lillian Bucyana, the programme is tailored to provide practical insights into judicial communication, stakeholder engagement, and protocol management.
In her remarks, Mputeni expressed appreciation for the warm reception and commended the Judiciary for its well-organized communication framework. She noted that the study tour comes at a critical time and will significantly inform ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening communication within the Malawi Judiciary.
Following the courtesy call, Mputeni toured the High Court, where she observed a live court engagement session involving students from the School of Psychiatric Clinical Officers, Butabika.
The session, facilitated b Zulaika Nanteza, offered a practical learning experience, with students actively participating through role-play of various courtroom actors, deepening their understanding of court processes.
Speaking during the tour, the Public Relations Officer explained that such initiatives form part of the Judiciary’s broader public outreach and civic education strategy, aimed at demystifying court processes and promoting legal awareness among the public, particularly young people.
He added that the Judiciary continues to implement a wide range of public engagement initiatives, including community outreaches, Court Open Days, and media programmes on radio and television, all geared towards enhancing access to justice and strengthening public confidence in the institution.
Mputeni also interacted with court security personnel, gaining further insight into the operational systems that support the effective administration of justice.