By Markson Omagor
MBALE
The Chief Registrar, Ms. Sarah Langa Siu, has shuffled at least 73 judicial officers, in the new transfers that she says are intended to improve service delivery in the Judiciary.
The most affected of all regions is Bugisu where all the Grade One Magistrates were moved.
In a press statement released yesterday 15th December 2020, Sarah Langa moved Magistrate Grade One, Kitiyo Patrick from Sironko to Rakai and is to be replaced by Mutala Peter who has been in Rakai.
Meanwhile, Mbale’s Grade One Magistrate, Daniel Epobu has been moved to Kalangala. Ms. Najjuko Evelyn currently in LDC will be moving to Mbale.
Ms. Muwanika Joanita has been moved from Bubulo to Mengo.
Mr. Abiti Samson Loum is leaving Bududa en route Mitooma and will be replaced by Ms. Nantege Christine who is currently in Kajjansi. Natenge will handle both Bududa and Bubulo.
The transfer schedule released on December 15 affects one Registrar, five Deputy Registrars, two Assistant Registrars, three Chief Magistrates, and 63 Magistrate Grade Ones.
“These transfers will be effective on 1st January 2021,” said Ms. Langa.
“Majority of the magistrates have spent three years at a given station, so we had to move them. Many judicial officers are due for transfer, but we shall have to do this in a phased manner because transfers have financial implications,” she said.
Ms. Susan Kanyange has been moved from the Commercial Division of the High Court to replace her Court of Appeal counterpart, Godfrey Opifeni, who retires from service in January 2021.
Also in the transfers, some Chief Magistrates have been assigned additional responsibilities of caretaking High Court registries due to the limited number of Registrars to undertake the responsibilities.
“We are still grappling with the issue of numbers, especially in the Registrars and Chief Magistrates’ ranks, and that is the reason we have not made many changes there,” said the Chief Registrar.
The Amuria/Katakwi Grade One Magistrate, Ms. Awacnedi Freddie is moving to Nabweru and will be replaced by Mr. Owino Paul Abdonson whose current station is Kalangala.
Ms. Kaibei Cherotich has been moved from Malaba to Dokolo and will be replaced by Ms. Adelo Susan who has been in Lira. Ms. Namubiru Mariam has been shifted from Tororo to Ntungamo and will be replaced by Ms. Nabafu Agnes whose current station is Jinja.
Ms. Nsobya Ronald Kamya has been moved away from Butaleja to Jinja to be replaced with Mr. Tibayeita Edgar from Nakasongola.
Mr. Mugezi Amon is leaving Jinja to handle Rubaga/Nateete and his position will be taken up by Mr. Wegoye Joel who is currently in Rubaga/Nateete.
