KAMPALA-On Friday , Judiciary top management, staff and well wishers converged in Supreme Court Board room to Celebrate the legacy of the out going Chief Registrar, Sarah Langa Siu who has served in this office for a period of four and half years.
At this hand over event where Langa handed over instrument of powers to her successor, Pamela Ocaya Lamunu, various speakers who included the Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny Dollo, Permanent Secretary/Secretary to Judiciary Dr. Pius Bigirimana, relatives and friends , shared their memorable experiences with Siu during her tenure as the Chief Registrar.
Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny Dollo described Langa as one of the most experienced, hardworking person from Judiciary’s top management who has contributed towards the transformation of this Institution.
“I think people who thought that she couldn’t manage the assignment because of being young, it was an idle talk because she has ashamed them all by a better performance.”
Dollo noted that, Siu had wanted to become a judge long time ago after witnessing many of her juniors being elevated to offices above hers, but he always requested her to wait for the right time because they had already embarked on a mission, in which she had a pivotal role.
“I couldn’t let her to go and look for another person whom I had again to analyze her ability, I prefer to have an old hoe in my hand. So when the right time came, I asked her to apply and I acted as her referee without being requested by anybody to do so.”
At the same event, the Chief Justice, welcomed Lamunu to her new position of Chief Registrar, and asked her to ensure that she fits well in the shoes of her predecessor or perform even better than her.
“You have replaced a very hardworking person, if you don’t match with her Standards , there are going to be murmurs. Sarah recommended you to me, if you don’t perform to the expectation, just know that you will be ashaming her.”
Dr. Pius Bigirimana, the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Judiciary, described Lamunu as a great thinker who has supported almost all members of the Judiciary on one way or the other.
“When I entered in the Judiciary, she was at Anti corruption Division as the Registrar and I knew her as incorruptible person. When they advertised the position of Chief Registrar, I advised her to apply and she performed well.”
She was the Chairperson of the Contracts committee which was behind the selection of the Company which constructed the Judiciary’s Twin Tower buildings
“We have been working together with her as top management of the Judiciary, with the team spirit, we have been able to achieve a lot.The chief legal advisor of Government is the Attorney General, apart from Attorney General , she has been my lawyer in government because she knows the law.”
On handing over the office, Langa thanked members of the to management and all other Judiciary staff for their tremendous cooperation which has enabled them to achieve several milestones.
“What is on my heart is to give thanks for the journey of four and half years I have been in office. As I go out , some of the achievements I can celebrate is that during my tenure, the Judiciary has been able to dispose of 1,012,101cases. As Chief Registrar, I thank the Lordships, justices, Judges , Registrars and Magistrates for this milestone.”
She added that , by the time she joined Judiciary the lower bench consisted 250 members, majority of whom had never seen promotion for close to three years, but by the time she left the office, Judiciary has 585 members of the lower bench and many of them have received atleast a promotion in the last three years.
Pamella Lamunu Ocaya , the new Chief Registrar, in her maiden Speech commended Siu for the assignments and Mentorship which has helped her to grow into a responsible Judicial officer.
“Your ability to create a positive and corroborative working environment, was always a welcome experience for all of us. Personally I want to thank you for holding my hand from when I was a grade one Magistrate Grade one at Anti corruption Division when you were a deputy Registrar, you guided me wherever I came to you Chambers.”
Lamunu revealed that, she believes in open and corroborative approach of listening learning, and sharing ideas to tackle challenges.
Langa became a chief Registrar in 2020, replacing Paul Gadenya who had been appointed the justice of High court by then.
Langa’s tenure ended early March 2025 upon being appointed by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on advise of Judicial Service Commission to the position of Acting High Court judge.
