I will rectify Judiciary challenges - Nambayo

Kampala. The new Chief Registrar of Courts of Judicature Esta Nambayo, last evening, promised to use her tenure to minimise the challenges the Judiciary is facing.
President Museveni in his August 7 letter to the chairman of the Judicial Service Commission, Mr Benjamin Kabiito, notified him of having named Ms Nambayo as the new substantive Chief Registrar of Courts of Judicature.
In her maiden interview with this newspaper last evening, Ms Nambayo said: “I feel happy about this appointment. I am glad that the appointing authority has entrusted me with this office that comes along with huge responsibilities. The office is demanding but I promise to do my level best.”
“I will look at the Judiciary’s four-year strategic plan and accomplish those tasks that are still pending. I will also work on the Judiciary challenges like corruption whether real or perceived, low funding and transfers,” she added.

Previous appointment
Ms Nambayo, who prior to her appointment was the deputy registrar of the Commercial Court, now replaces Paul Gadenya, who was in February, this year, elevated to a High Court judge.
“In the exercise of the powers vested in the President by Article 145 (2) of the Constitution, I hereby appoint Ms Nambayo Esta as the Chief Registrar of the Courts of Judicature,” the President wrote.
The cited provision states that “the Chief Registrar and a registrar shall be appointed by the President on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission”.

Justice Kabiito wrote to Ms Nambayo yesterday, to “notify your worship of your appointment by HE (His Excellency), the President, as the Chief Registrar of the Courts of Judicature.”
Following the elevation of the then Chief Registrar Gadenya to the position of High Court judge, Mr Isaac Muwata became the understudy.
A Chief Registrar is the fifth topmost position in judiciary hierarchy after, in descending order, the Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice, Principal Judge and the Secretary to Judiciary.
The core functions of the office include implementation of policies and directions of the Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice and the Principal Judge.
Ms Nambayo becomes the second female Chief Registrar after Justice Flavia Anglin Senoga, now a High Court judge.

Who Nambayo is
She holds two masters degrees; in Law and Management studies.
Born in Busia 50 years ago, Ms Nambayo studied at Tororo Girls’ School for O-Level, completed her A-Level at Mackay Memorial College in Natete, a Kampala suburb, before obtaining a Bachelor of Laws degree from Makerere University.
She has previously worked as the deputy registrar at the High Court, Land Division and Court of Appeal/Constitutional Court. She previously served as acting Assistant Registrar of Land Division as well as the Chief Magistrate at Mengo, Nakawa and Makindye courts in Kampala.
In fact, she juggled being a Chief Magistrate with acting deputy Registrar of Mbarara court after rising from Magistrate Grade One at Luwero, Nakasongola and City Hall courts.

Legal career
The new Chief Registrar began her legal career as the legal officer with International Association of Women Lawyers (FIDA).
Ms Nambayo presided over the trial of the suspected killer of the then Butaleja District Woman MP Cerinah Nebanda.
She convicted Adam Suleiman Kalungi, the key suspect, of manslaughter and sentenced him to four years imprisonment. However, the High Court later overturned the judgment and freed Kalungi.
She is married with two children.

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