Dr Flavian Zeija was Deputy Chief Justice until he was appointed Chief Justice, succeeding Alfonse Owiny-Dollo.
What you need to know:
The applicants for the position of Deputy Chief Justice must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Laws from a recognised university and have served as a justice of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal or High Court, or practiced as an advocate for at least 15 years before a court with unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has called for applications from qualified candidates to fill two key positions in the Judiciary — Deputy Chief Justice and Chief Registrar.
According to an advert issued by the commission’s permanent secretary, Dr Rose Nassali Lukwago on Monday, the applicants for the position of Deputy Chief Justice must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Laws from a recognised university and have served as a justice of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal or High Court, or practiced as an advocate for at least 15 years before a court with unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters.
The position fell vacant in January this year after Dr Flavian Zeija was appointed Chief Justice, succeeding Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, whose tenure ended after he clocked the retirement age of 70.
The Deputy Chief Justice serves as the head of the Court of Appeal of Uganda and the Constitutional Court, and also deputises the Chief Justice in the execution of his duties.
Some of the likely candidates for the position include justices Mike Chibita, Catherine Bamugemereire, Geoffrey Kiryabwire, and Christopher Madrama, as well as the current Attorney General of Uganda, Kiryowa Kiwanuka.
Meanwhile, the commission is also seeking to fill the position of Chief Registrar, the fifth-highest office in the Judiciary hierarchy after the Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice, Principal Judge, and Permanent Secretary.
The office fell vacant in March last year after the then Chief Registrar, Sarah Langa Siu, was appointed a judge of the High Court, currently attached to Wakiso High Court.
Since then, Registrar Pamela Lamunu Ocaya has been serving in the position in an acting capacity.
According to the advert, applicants interested in the Chief Registrar position must have at least 10 years’ experience as a judicial officer and should have served substantively as a registrar or deputy registrar in the courts of judicature for not less than two years.
The Chief Registrar is responsible for overseeing the administration and management of the courts, including supervision of registrars and court staff across the country.
Upon completing the recruitment process, the Judicial Service Commission will forward a list of successful candidates to President Museveni, the appointing authority, for final selection and appointment.