The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (AfcPHR) recently conducted dedicated staff training on Professional Ethics and Workplace Etiquette.
The training was part of the court ongoing commitment to fostering a professional, respectful, and inclusive institutional culture.
The training, which was facilitated by Hon. Lady Justice Tujilane Rose Chizumila, Judge of the Court, brought together staff, fellows, and interns from various departments, who engaged in a dynamic and interactive session aimed at strengthening a conducive workplace environment.
Among other issues, the session addressed a range of key topics, including the importance of ethical behaviour in the workplace, respectful language and communication across cultures and languages, professional email etiquette and the role of courtesy in teamwork and collaboration.
Speaking on the motive, Hon. Justice Chizumila underscored the relevance of the training, noting that the daily interactions within a multilingual, multicultural, and multiracial work environment, which characterises the Court, are crucial to its overall effectiveness.
“We come from many cultures, but it is professionalism, through respectful language, mindful behaviour, and ethical choices that allows us to work as one Court. In such a diverse institution, everyday courtesies are not small things, they are the foundation of our shared success,” she said.
Also giving an insight, the Registrar of the Court, Dr. Robert Eno, stressed the importance of the training, stating that “upholding the highest standards of ethics and etiquette is not optional, rather it is essential to how we serve, interact and represent the Court both internally and externally.”
“The training aligns with the Court’s strategic objective of promoting institutional excellence through strengthened capacity building,” Eno said.
In a related development, the court has also mourned the passing of former Judge, Honourable Justice George W. Kanyeihamba.
In a statement made available to Blueprint in Abuja on Monday, the court said it received with profound sadness, news of the death of Honourable Justice George W. Kanyeihamba, former Judge of the Court, who passed away on 14 July 2025.
Honourable Justice Kanyeihamba, a Ugandan national, was appointed Judge of the African Court by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, in June 2006 for a two year-term.
In addition to his service at the Court, Justice Kanyeihamba had a long and illustrious career as a Judge, an author and academic. He served as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Uganda from 1997 to 2009, held ministerial and parliamentary positions in the Ugandan government, and was Chancellor of Kampala International University.
Justice Kanyeihamba’s steadfast dedication to the advancement of justice and his enduring commitment to the protection of human and peoples’ rights in Africa was applauded by the court.
In his condolence message to the bereaved family, the government and people of Uganda, the President of the Court, Hon. Dr. Justice Modibo Sacko indicated that Justice Kanyeihamba’s passing was a great loss for the African human rights family, and he would be greatly missed.