Chief Registrar Champions Professionalism as Support Officers Are Tipped On Leadership and Institutional Excellence
Private Legal Secretaries, Personal Assistants and staff of the Judiciary’s Communications and Public Relations Registry have undergone a professional development engagement aimed at strengthening their capacity to effectively support judicial leadership and enhance institutional communication.
The engagement, held at the Supreme Court Conference Hall under the theme, “Enhancing Professionalism, Protocol and Media Management for Leadership Excellence,” brought together officers who provide direct support to the Judiciary’s top leadership. The training focused on executive office management, protocol, strategic communication, media relations and professional conduct to improve coordination and service delivery across the institution.
Opening the engagement, the Chief Registrar, HW Agnes Alum, said the initiative was organised to strengthen the capacity of support officers who play a central role in enabling the Judiciary’s leadership to discharge its constitutional mandate effectively.
Reflecting on her experience since assuming office in May 2026, the Chief Registrar noted that the Office of the Chief Registrar carries extensive responsibilities, including supporting the Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice and Principal Judge while coordinating court operations throughout the country. She observed that these responsibilities require highly professional, well-coordinated and competent support teams committed to continuous learning.
She further shared that her office is revitalising weekly leadership updates to improve internal coordination and keep staff and external stakeholders informed about key institutional engagements.
Highlighting the Judiciary’s transformation agenda, the Chief Registrar said Strategic Plan VI places significant emphasis on institutional branding, the development of a comprehensive communication strategy and effective message packaging to strengthen public confidence in the administration of justice.
She challenged participants to continually assess their professionalism by reflecting on how they manage their responsibilities, observe protocol, present themselves and communicate the Judiciary’s achievements while responding effectively to crises.
“As members of the support structures serving the Judiciary’s top leadership, you form the foundation upon which effective institutional leadership depends,” she said, urging participants to pursue excellence, teamwork and continuous professional development.
Delivering the keynote presentation, the Head of the Wakiso High Court Circuit, Lady Justice Sarah Langa Siu, challenged participants to appreciate the significance of their assignments, describing support officers as indispensable partners in the effective functioning of judicial leadership.
In her presentation, titled “Supporting Judicial Leadership: Practical Lessons for Supporting Officers,” Justice Langa took participants through the Judiciary’s organisational structure, reporting lines and institutional framework, encouraging them to fully understand the Judiciary’s constitutional mandate, Vision, Mission, Core Values, strategic plans, policies and operational systems.
She urged support officers to understand not only the institution they serve but also the working styles, values, priorities and expectations of the judicial leaders they support. The Judge noted that effective service requires both technical competence and emotional intelligence.
Justice Langa emphasised that many of the most important responsibilities performed by support officers are unwritten. She described them as gatekeepers who manage access to leaders, crisis managers who maintain stability during unforeseen situations, confidantes entrusted with sensitive information, relationship builders who foster productive stakeholder engagement, and custodians of institutional memory who preserve continuity within the Judiciary.
She also reminded participants that their written responsibilities; such as managing diaries, preparing speeches and briefs, coordinating meetings and supporting planning and budgeting, must be complemented by strong interpersonal skills, professionalism and discretion.
Presenting what she termed the “Support Officer Toolkit,” Justice Langa encouraged participants to cultivate excellence, attention to detail, effective communication, innovation, teamwork, emotional intelligence, people management, financial literacy, adaptability and resilience, observing that excellence in support services is defined as much by character and attitude as by technical ability.
Protocol and Public Diplomacy expert, Mr Ivan Katumba Koreta, delivered a presentation on protocol, diplomatic etiquette and executive office management. He reminded participants that every support officer contributes to the dignity and image of the Judiciary and that members of the public begin experiencing justice from the moment they enter court premises.
He explained that professionalism, protocol and etiquette safeguard institutional dignity, judicial independence and public confidence, while also guiding participants through the National Order of Precedence and its application during official state and Judiciary functions.
On strategic communication, Dr John Baptist Imokola, a lecturer in the Department of Journalism and Communication at Makerere University, delivered a presentation on “Professional Communication: Media Relations and Protecting the Judiciary’s Image.”
He observed that every Judiciary employee is an ambassador of the institution with a responsibility to protect and enhance its reputation. He underscored the importance of strategic communication in strengthening accountability, building public trust, managing crises and fostering constructive stakeholder relationships.
Dr Imokola encouraged participants to build positive relationships with the media through accuracy, responsiveness, timeliness and professionalism. He also outlined key elements of effective communication, including message development, stakeholder engagement, appropriate channel selection and continuous evaluation of communication outcomes.
“It is important to prepare adequately before engaging the media in order to remain focused on the intended message,” he advised.
Closing the engagement, the Chief Registrar urged participants to translate the knowledge and practical skills acquired into their daily work, stressing that professionalism, effective communication and observance of protocol remain indispensable to strengthening service delivery and safeguarding the Judiciary’s image.
She encouraged them to continue learning, collaborate effectively and strive for excellence as they support the Judiciary’s leadership in delivering justice efficiently and effectively.
The engagement was moderated by the Judiciary’s Public Relations Officer, HW James Ereemye Jumire Mawanda.
Posted 21st, July 2026
