Mulela Margaret Munalula
Mulela Margaret Munalula | |
|---|---|
| President of the Constitutional Court | |
| Assumed office 3 April 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Hildah Chibomba |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 19 December 1958 |
| Alma mater | University of Zambia International Institute of Social Studies Notre Dame University |
Mulela Margaret Munalula (born 19 December 1958) is a Zambian judge and academic, President of the Constitutional Court of Zambia since 2023. She was named justice of the Court in 2016 and its vicepresident in 2022.
Early life
Munalula was born on 19 December 1958. She got a degree in law from the University of Zambia in 1981, where in 1989 Munalula obtained a master's degree in international law, constitutional law, and administrative law. In 1993, she obtained another master's degree in development studies with a specialization in gender and development from the International Institute of Social Studies in The Hague and a doctorate in law and human rights in 2001 from the Center for Civil and Human Rights at the University of Notre Dame in the United States thanks to a Fulbright scholarship.[1][2]
Career
She worked as resident magistrate between 1981 and 1985. That year, Munalula began working as legal counsel for financial institutions such as the Development Bank of Zambia and ZADB/Lima Bank.[1][2]
She has taught law at the University of Zambia, teaching from 1990 to the mid-2010s, and between 2007 and 2014 she was dean of the law school. She has also been a visiting professor at the University of Namibia.[1][2]
Munalula was appointed member of the Constitutional Court of Zambia on 23 March 2016.[2] In June 2021, she was the only judge to oppose Edgar Lungu's re-election as president of Zambia, arguing that the constitution prevented him from running for a third term and that Lungu, despite becoming president after Michael Sata's death, had already been elected twice.[3] As a judge, Munalula has been seen as one of the most independent from political influence.[3]
On 28 May 2022 President Hakainde Hichilema appointed her vicepresident of the Constitutional Court.[4] She took office as its president on 3 April 2023.[5]
Publications
- Women, Gender Discrimination and the Law[2]
- Legal Process: Zambian Cases, Legislation and Commentaries[2]
- A Right to Life: Sexual and Reproductive Rights, Gender, HIV/AIDS and the Law in Southern Africa[2]
References
- ^ a b c "REPORT OF THE PARLIAMENTARY SELECT COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO SCRUTINISE THE PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTMENT OF HON MADAM JUSTICE PROF MULELA MARGARET MUNALULA TO SERVE AS PRESIDENT OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT, MR ARNOLD MWEETWA SHILIMI TO SERVE AS DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT, HON MADAM JUSTICE MARIA MAPANI KAWIMBE, HON MR JUSTICE KENNETH MULIFE AND MR MUDFORD ZACHARIAH MWANDENGA, TO SERVE AS JUDGES OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT AND HON MR JUSTICE JUST MWIINDE SIAVWAPA TO SERVE AS JUDGE PRESIDENT OF THE COURT OF APPEAL, HON MADAM JUSTICE ABHA NAYAR PATEL, SC, AND HON MADAM JUSTICE YVONNE CHEMBE TO SERVE AS JUDGES OF THE COURT OF APPEAL" (PDF). National Assembly of Zambia. 24 February 2023. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Hon. Justice Prof. Margaret Munalula – President of the Constitutional Court". Judiciary of Zambia. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
- ^ a b Sishuwa, Sishuwa (6 January 2022). "Class of 2021: Zambians who inspired last year". Lusaka Times. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
- ^ "Professor Lady Justice Munalula appointed as Deputy President of the Constitutional court". Lusaka Times. 28 May 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
- ^ "SWEARING IN OF HON. JUDGES OF THE SUPERIOR COURTS". Judiciary of Zambia. 3 April 2023. Retrieved 13 February 2026.