Chief Registrar Strengthens Judiciary–Media Relations at Maiden Press Breakfast Engagement
The Chief Registrar, HW Agnes Alum, today hosted her first Press Breakfast with journalists from various media houses, highlighting the Judiciary’s commitment to fostering a strong, transparent and professional relationship with the media.
The engagement, held at the Supreme Court provided a platform for dialogue, exchange of perspectives and discussion on key developments within the Judiciary, as well as issues affecting court reporting.
The Chief Registrar described the media as a critical partner in the administration of justice, noting that journalists serve as an important bridge between the Judiciary and the public by communicating court processes and decisions accurately and responsibly.
She noted that regular engagement with the media is essential in strengthening mutual understanding and building a cordial working relationship that promotes the dissemination of timely, accurate and credible information to the public.
A key issue discussed during the engagement was the ongoing media accreditation exercise. HW Alum explained that the initiative is intended to streamline court reporting and establish a structured framework for media access to courts. She acknowledged that some journalists had experienced challenges during the transition but expressed confidence that the accreditation framework would ultimately improve coordination and cooperation between the Judiciary and the media.
The Chief Registrar further shared that the Judiciary is finalizing its Media and Court Reporting Guidelines, which are intended to provide greater clarity on reporting procedures, strengthen coordination between court officials and journalists, and promote professional, accurate and responsible reporting of court proceedings.
She emphasized that the guidelines are not intended to restrict media freedom but rather to provide a clear operational framework that enables both the Judiciary and the media to effectively discharge their respective mandates while preserving the integrity of court processes.
Highlighting the Judiciary’s ongoing reforms, HW Alum outlined several initiatives under the institution’s transformation agenda, including the continued rollout of the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS), expansion of virtual court hearings, use of the Judgment Writing Tool and exploration of artificial intelligence to support transcription and judgment writing, with appropriate safeguards.
She also pointed to measures aimed at strengthening institutional accountability through the Performance Enhancement Tool (PET), increasing human resource capacity through the recruitment of additional judicial officers and support staff, and enhancing staff wellbeing through structured wellness programmes.
The Chief Registrar announced that the Third National Court Open Day will be held on 10 September 2026 at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds. She also informed journalists that the High Court and Magistrates’ Courts vacation had commenced today and would run until 15 August 2026.
She clarified that court registries would remain operational throughout the vacation period to receive new filings and provide registry services, explaining that the recess enables judicial officers to write pending judgments and rulings, review completed work and prepare for the next court session.
HW Alum concluded by calling for continued partnership with the media as the Judiciary pursues its vision of delivering an accessible, efficient, transparent and people-centred justice system.
Speaking during the engagement, the Judiciary’s Public Relations Officer, HW James Ereemye Jumire Mawanda, thanked the journalists for attending and for raising pertinent issues affecting court reporting. He informed the media that the Principal Judge was handling matters relating to election petitions and emphasized that the concerns raised during the meeting would contribute to strengthening the working relationship between the Judiciary and the media.
During the interactive session, journalists welcomed the ongoing media accreditation exercise, observing that it would enhance professionalism and strengthen collaboration between the two institutions. They, however, requested that the accreditation framework accommodates more numbers per media house to facilitate effective coverage of court proceedings.
The journalists also appreciated the development of the Media and Court Reporting Guidelines but appealed to the Judiciary to involve media practitioners in the process. They were reassured that the consultation process on the same would capture their views.
In attendance was the Private Legal Secretary to the Chief Registrar, HW Patricia Amoko.
The engagement was moderated by the Principal Communications Officer, Ms Sheila Wamboga.
Posted 14th, July 2026
