The election, held earlier today at the Supreme Court in Kampala, saw Dr Bigirimana rise to this prestigious role, replacing Tanzania’s Chief Court Administrator, Prof. Elisante Ole Gabriel.
Dr. Bigirimana’s ascension to the SEAJAA Chairperson position has been met with great enthusiasm. As a long-serving member of SEAJAA’s Executive Committee, he brings both experience and a deep commitment to advancing the judiciary’s role across the region.
In his acceptance speech, Dr. Bigirimana highlighted his dedication to the Ugandan judiciary and expressed his resolve to extend this commitment to SEAJAA’s member states. “We will work together to share experiences, support one another, and ensure that our judiciaries thrive,” he emphasized.
This election is particularly timely, coinciding with the upcoming Southern and Eastern Africa Chief Justices’ Forum (SEACJF), set to be hosted by Uganda from 30th September to 5th October 2024. The event, which will take place at the luxurious Speke Resort Munyonyo, will gather Chief Justices from the region, further solidifying Uganda’s pivotal role in regional judicial collaboration.
The Southern and Eastern Africa Judicial Administration Association (SEAJAA) was established in 2017 to foster cooperation among judiciaries in the region. With 14 member countries, including Kenya, Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, SEAJAA plays a crucial role in promoting the rule of law, judicial independence, and best practices in judicial administration.
In addition to Dr Bigirimana’s appointment, the election also saw Ms Beaulah Kgakgamatso Mguni, Chief Registrar of Botswana’s High Court, retain her position as SEAJAA Vice Chairperson, and Mr. Benhardt Kukuri, Executive Director of Namibia’s Judiciary, continue as Secretary-General. The representative from Malawi also maintained the role of Treasury General. Angola has joined the Executive Committee as a new ordinary member.
For Uganda, Dr Bigirimana’s appointment as SEAJAA Chairperson marks another step forward in its efforts to strengthen its judiciary’s global standing. His election comes when Uganda is preparing to host some of the most influential legal minds in Africa at the SEACJF forum.
The judiciary’s role in promoting democracy, justice, and the rule of law is more important than ever. Dr. Bigirimana’s leadership is expected to catalyse positive transformation across the region.
However, as the new Chairperson of SEAJAA, Dr. Bigirimana faces the challenge of steering the association through heightened regional cooperation, with a growing demand for justice reforms and transparency in judicial institutions.
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