(L-R): Chief Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny - Dollo, Justice Geoffrey Kiryabwire (outgoing Chairperson), HW James Ereemye Jumire Mawanda(Judiciary Communications and Public Relations Officer) and Justice Madrama(in-coming Chairrperson)
Earlier, the Chief Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny - Dollo presided over the handover ceremony of the chairperson of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT)/Law Reporting Committee and the inauguration of the new ICT and Documentation Committee at the Supreme Court Conference Hall, Judiciary Headquarters in Kampala.
Court of Appeal's Justice Geoffrey Kiryabwire handed over his responsibilities to Supreme Court Justice, Christopher Izama Madrama, the new Chairperson of the ICT and Documentation Committee, formed under the Administration of the Judiciary (Establishment of Committees) Regulation, SI No. 93 of 2023.
The Chief Justice awarded Justice Kiryabwire for "championing the Court Digital Transformation Agenda as Chairperson of the Judiciary ICT/Law Reporting Committee (2011 - 2024)".
He also emphasized the historical impact of technological advancements, and their vital role in transforming human society and the Judiciary.
The Chief Justice highlighted the importance of ICT in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of judicial processes. “The adoption of ICT is fundamentally changing how we work, learn, and interact,” he said, noting that both the public and private sectors must embrace new technologies to remain relevant.
He acknowledged the outgoing Chairperson's significant milestones from 2011 to 2024, including increased requests for ICT equipment by judicial officers, reflecting a shift from initial reluctance to active demand for technological tools.
The Chief Justice noted that the new ICT and Documentation Committee will provide expert advice on ICT, intellectual and virtual infrastructure, library services, research, law reporting, and record-keeping.
He tasked the Committee with positioning the Judiciary as a service rather than just a physical place."I sincerely thank the outgoing committee for their excellent work over the past 14 years. I look forward to a robust ICT foundation for the Judiciary under the new committee," he concluded, wishing the new team success in their endeavours.
Justice Madrama congratulated the outgoing Chairperson on a job well done. He emphasized the importance of keeping pace with advancing ICT developments and the potential role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in judicial processes for functions such as transcription and legal research.
He pledged to continue working with the old Committee to ensure continuity. He also encouraged both judicial and non-judicial staff to embrace and use these ICT tools, adding that ICT should be something to be embraced.
The outgoing Chairperson, Justice Kiryabwire highlighted the importance of continued active leadership and innovation in ICT to support the Judiciary's work processes. He expressed pride in the progress made by the ICT function in the Judiciary and encouraged the new members to build on these achievements. He also emphasized the need fora new ICT Strategic Plan as a priority for the incoming Committee.
Some of the outgoing Committee's achievements during Justice Kiryabwire's term of service that he outlined include the development and implementation of various ICT systems such as the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS) and the re-engineering of the Court Case Administration System (CCAS).
Other notable implementations include digital court recording and transcription, videoconferencing systems, Electronic Display Boards (E-Boards), and Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) systems.
Justice Kiryabwire also discussed the challenges he faced during his tenure, such as resistance to ICT tools and initiatives both within and outside the Judiciary, lack of alternative power sources at court stations without power, inadequate funding, and a shortage of ICT staff.
In attendance were; Justice Fredrick Martin Stephen Egonda Ntende (Justice, Court of Appeal), Justice Gadenya Paul Wolimbwa (Judge, Criminal Division), Lady Justice Immaculate Busingye (Judge, Land Division), HW Ayebare Thadius Tumwebaze (Private Legal Secretary to the Chief Justice), and HW Edoku John Paul (Acting Registrar, Planning, Research & Development).
Also, present; Mr. David Sunday Kikabi (Head, ICT Department) and Mr. Joseph Ssinabulya (Project Manager, Electronic Court Case Management Information System), Ms Julian Rweju, the ECCMIS Technical Advisor, among others.
The event was moderated by the Judiciary Communications and Public Relations Officer, HW James Ereemye Jumire Mawanda.
Posted 20th, June 2024
