The leadership of the International Association of Women Judges Uganda (IAWJ-U) on Wednesday paid a courtesy visit to the Principal Judge, Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, at the Judiciary headquarters in Kampala.
The delegation was led by Lady Justice Elizabeth Jane Alividza, President of IAWJ-U, and Lady Justice Olive Kazaarwe Mukwaya, the Association’s Vice President. The visit aimed to welcome the Principal Judge and brief her on the Association’s work, which unites women judges across Uganda with a current membership of approximately 100.
During the meeting, Justice Alividza highlighted several initiatives undertaken by the Association, including the development of the Succession Resource Book, designed to support family justice in courts by providing guidance on succession matters.
The delegation also shared the association’s focus on empowering young people and children through outreach programmes, including inter-university engagements and community initiatives in areas such as Bombo, where sanitary pads are distributed to support girls in remaining in school.
Members emphasized the importance of engaging directly with young girls to understand their challenges and identify practical solutions.
The judges sought guidance from the Principal Judge on how IAWJ-U could collaborate with her office to maximize their impact and requested that she consider serving as the Association’s Patron. In response, Lady Justice Abodo indicated she would review the request and provide feedback in due course.
Speaking during the meeting, Justice Abodo commended the Association for its dedication to women and girls.
“I applaud the Association for its commitment to empowering girls. Women sometimes hold themselves back, and it is vital that we develop the confidence and courage to make important decisions. Partnerships that expand the reach and impact of your programmes will further strengthen this work,” she said.
Justice Abodo also confirmed her willingness to participate in the upcoming international meeting scheduled to take place in Abuja, Nigeria.
She welcomed the proposal to add an extra day for the quarterly performance review and emphasized the importance of integrating the Judiciary Gender Policy into the Judiciary Strategic Plan, noting that judicial wellness remains a key tool for improving institutional performance.