The Chief Justice, Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija this evening hosted a farewell dinner in honour of the Chief Justice of Zambia, Justice Dr. Mumba Malila, and his delegation following a successful two-day benchmarking visit aimed at strengthening judicial cooperation and sharing best practices between the two countries.
The dinner brought together Justices of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, Judges of the High Court, members of senior management, judicial officers from the lower bench, justice sector stakeholders, and other Staff of the Judiciary. The Zambian delegation included High Court Judge Lady Justice Ann Kachenga Malata of the Economic and Financial Crimes Division, High Court Registrar Sangwani Nyimbiki, and members of their support staff.
In his remarks, Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija, highlighted the strong cultural, historical, and social ties shared by Uganda and Zambia. He noted that the two countries have much in common, including their hospitality, traditions, and commitment to fostering meaningful relationships.
Justice Zeija hailed the spirit of friendship that had characterized the visit and encouraged continued exchanges between the two judiciaries. He invited the Zambian delegation to return for future visits beyond official engagements to experience Uganda's diverse cultural heritage and renowned hospitality.
The Deputy Chief Justice, Justice Moses Kawumi Kazibwe, emphasized the importance of hospitality as a cornerstone of Ugandan culture. He observed that visitors to Uganda often arrive as guests but leave as brothers and sisters, reflecting the country's welcoming nature.
Justice Kawumi also noted that Uganda and Zambia face similar challenges within their judicial systems, including case backlog management, the integration of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, and the need to enhance alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. He expressed confidence that the two judiciaries could benefit significantly from continued benchmarking, collaboration, and knowledge exchange.
Speaking earlier, the Executive Director of the Judicial Training Institute (JTI), Justice Prof. Andrew Khaukha, commended the successful implementation of the benchmarking programme. He noted that the visit had been carefully designed to address key areas of interest identified by the Zambian delegation while also providing opportunities for engagement and cultural exchange.
Justice Prof. Khaukha reported that feedback from the visitors had been overwhelmingly positive, with the delegation finding the programme both informative and insightful. He thanked the Chief Justice of Uganda for his guidance and support in ensuring the success of the visit.
In response, the Chief Justice of Zambia and Chairperson of the Africa Chief Justices' Alternative Dispute Resolution Forum (ACJADRF), Justice Dr. Mumba Malila, expressed profound appreciation to the Judiciary of Uganda for the warm reception and exceptional hospitality extended to his delegation.
Justice Malila noted that while he had visited Uganda on several occasions in different capacities, the latest visit had exceeded expectations due to the richness of the programme and the dedication demonstrated by Uganda's judicial officers and staff.
He commended the Judiciary of Uganda for its commitment to service delivery, professionalism, and innovation, describing it as a judiciary that is actively working to improve the administration of justice and meet the needs of court users.
The Zambian Chief Justice further proposed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two judiciaries to formalize and deepen cooperation. He observed that Zambia had benefited greatly from previous benchmarking visits to Uganda and suggested reciprocal exchanges involving judicial officers from different court divisions to facilitate peer-to-peer learning and collaboration.
Justice Malila emphasized that Uganda and Zambia share common legal traditions, historical backgrounds, and cultural values, making cooperation between the two judiciaries both natural and beneficial.
Reflecting on the visit, he commended Uganda's hospitality and generosity, describing it as a country where people continue to embody values of kindness, community, and compassion. He also fondly recalled the diverse Ugandan cuisine enjoyed during the visit, noting that the delegation would remember both the professional lessons learned and the cultural experiences shared.
He concluded by thanking the Judiciary leadership, protocol teams, security personnel, and all staff members who contributed to the success of the visit. Echoing a light-hearted promise, he assured the Ugandan delegation that when they visit Zambia, their hosts would reciprocate the warmth and hospitality they had received.
The evening concluded with a symbolic exchange of gifts between the two judiciaries and vibrant entertainment by a traditional dance troupe, providing a fitting celebration of friendship, cooperation, and the growing partnership between the judiciaries of Uganda and Zambia.
Posted 16th, June 2026
