The Chief Justice of Uganda, Alphonse Owiny Dollo, has announced the appointment of Ereemye Jumire James Mawanda as the new Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the Judiciary.

Mawanda, the current acting registrar in charge of magistrates affairs and data management replaces Jameson Karemani Karemera, who was last month appointed as a judge of the High Court by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. Karemani served as judiciary PRO since 2019. 

According to the statement issued by the judiciary principal communications officer Sheila Wamboga, Mawanda now takes on the registry of communications and public relations to supervise a team of professional communications officers. He will also deputize the chief registrar Sarah Langa Siu as the spokesperson of the judiciary.

The appointment was made under the authority vested in the Chief Justice by Article 133 of the Constitution and in accordance with Section 3(a) of the Administration of the Judiciary Act. The letter signed by Chief Justice Owiny Dollo officially assigned Mawanda as the Public Relations Officer of the Judiciary, in addition to his existing duties as a Registrar.

This appointment reflects the evolving roles and responsibilities within the Judiciary and aims to ensure a smooth transition in the PR department following Karemani’s elevation to the High Court.

Langa Siu welcomed the appointment, saying the new PRO will be instrumental in fostering public awareness and the image of the judiciary in line with the judiciary strategic plan five. She has also commended Karemani for the great job done as PRO of the judiciary.

Who is Mawanda? 

Mawanda is a career judicial officer whose experience spans 27 years growing through the ranks from magistrate grade III trainee, magistrate grade II, magistrate grade I, chief magistrate, deputy registrar, and acting registrar.

He previously worked in Nakawa, Buganda Road and Mbale Chief Magistrate courts.

Mawanda is also a member of the judiciary council representing the lower bench. The judiciary council is an advisory body to the chief justice established under the Administration of the Judiciary Act, 2020.