Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo has today, Monday handed over the office to his deputy, Dr Flavian Zeija, at a ceremony held at the Supreme Court boardroom.
The handover of office comes a day after Dollo celebrated his 70th birthday. Born on January 18, 1956, in the present-day Agago District, Owiny- Dollo officially hung up his robes on Sunday when he clocked 70, the official retirement age for the chief justice, deputy chief justice and justices of both the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal by virtue of Article 144(1)(a) of the Constitution.
Zeija now serves as both the deputy CJ and the acting CJ pending the appointment of the substantive chief justice.
Zeija joins retired deputy CJ Steven Kavuma, who also served as both deputy CJ and acting CJ following the exit of Benjamin Odoki.
Dr Rose Nassali Lukwago, the permanent secretary of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), says a new CJ will soon be appointed because a list of suitable candidates has since been forwarded to the President for consideration.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Judiciary permanent secretary Dr Pius Bigirimana, also a member of the Judiciary top management, lamented about Owiny-Dollo’s retirement.
“I must say that this is not a very pleasant afternoon for me to witness your handover ceremony. However, I am under an obligation to sign the handover report because tomorrow I might be asked about it. I say that I am not pleasant because I have been with you for over 40 years,” Bigirimana said.
Bigirimana commended Owiny-Dollo for the good leadership, which he said has strengthened the Judiciary.
“When I was posted to the Judiciary in 2019, I found you serving as the deputy chief justice. I introduced office notice number one that contained the 15-point program to deal with, including financial discipline. I want to thank you for supporting me,” Bigirimana said.
Citing the enhancement of the Judiciary budget from shillings 199 billion to about 445 billion under his tenure, Bigirimana said Owiny-Dollo leaves the Judiciary in a better situation.
Principal judge Jane Frances Abodo hailed Owiny-Dollo for not only being a transformative leader but also a champion of access to justice for all.
“As we bid you farewell, we celebrate your legacy that has been full of empathy and unwavering commitment to justice for all,” Abodo said.
Abodo remarked that Owiny-Dollo’s contribution to the justice system extended far beyond the bench.
“We shall always honour your shared responsibility to the promotion of justice for all,” Abodo said.
Abodo also thanked Owiny-Dollo for spearheading numerous judicial reforms, such as the promotion of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms that have reshaped the justice systems in the country.
“As you hang up your robes today, we celebrate you because you have left the judiciary stronger,” Abodo said.
Zeija commended Owiny-Dollo for spearheading the establishment of the African ADR forum, saying it has reshaped the administration of justice on the continent.
“This is an imprint in the Judiciary that is written on the walls of the judiciary. You have left a legacy which will last for decades,” Zeija said.
Speaking after handing over the instruments of power to Zeija, Owiny-Dollo said, “It is with a deep sense of fulfilment that I formally hand over the office to you.”
Owiny-Dollo commended members of the Judiciary’s top management for the support accorded to him throughout his five-year tenure as CJ.
Owiny-Dollo urged the judiciary to leverage ADR, remarking that it is a judicial movement that will soon engulf the entire nation.
“I have faith that ADR by the time the next chief justice retires, it will have overtaken the adversarial litigation,” Owiny-Dollo said.
In regard to cases pending before him, Owiny-Dollo comforted the parties, saying he would conclude them in accordance with the requirements of the constitution and the judicial practice.
Retired judicial officers are given a three-month period within which to conclude cases pending before them.
Owiny-Dollo’s judicial journey commenced in 2008 when he was appointed as a judge of the High Court.
In 2015, he was elevated to the Court of Appeal. In 2017, he was appointed the Deputy CJ, replacing Steven Kavuma.
In August 2020, he was appointed CJ, replacing Bart Katureebe.