KAMPALA. In a new twist of events , a list of newly appointed judges from State House has no name of embattled Jinja High Court Judge Faridah Bukirwa Ntambi yet an earlier one purportedly issued by the Judicial Service Commission(JSC) had her name featuring prominently .
In an August 8,2024 letter seen by this publication ,the Principal Judge Flavian Zeija directed Justice Bukirwa to hand over all files under her and leave office. The PJ argued that the Judiciary had not receive from the appointing authority Justice Bukirwa’s instrument of appointment as a substantive judge of the High Court.
This was also after complaints that justice Bukirwa had mismanaged some cases and among these included the one about the unending leadership wrangles at Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC).
But after disciplinary proceedings against Justice Bukirwa , she was cleared by JSC and was expected to get reappointed ,which has not been the case .Now without any deployment ,Justice Bukirwa’s future as a judicial officer remains uncertain .
According to the State House statement dated February 7, 2025 President Museveni confirmed the appointment of Justice Flavian Zeija as the new Deputy Chief Justice as earlier indicated in a statement purportedly issued by the JSC.
Until his appointment Friday afternoon, Justice Zeija was the Principal Judge. He now replaces Justice Richard Buteera who retires in April this year when he clocks 70 years. With the appointment of Justice Zeija as the new Deputy Chief Justice, it means that the position of the Principal Judge, who is the administrative head of the High Court is vacant and needs to be filled up as soon as possible.
President has also appointed eight justices of Court of Appeal/ Constitutional Court, one Justice of the Supreme Court and 21 judges of the High Court ,but in Acting capacity for a period two years from the date of assumption of duty. However, the Constitutional Court in Kabumba Busingye and another vs the Attorney General ruled that appointing judges in acting capacity was unconstitutional as the supreme law of the land only recommends substantive appointment of judges.
The same Constitutional Court directed the JSC to quickly regularise the appointment of the affected judges within six months from the decision of the court-something that was never effected. With the President appointing more judges in acting capacity it appears like the ruling of the court has been overlooked.
But Justice Benjamin Kabiito, the chairperson of the JSC,later defended the appointments ,saying the Constitution provides for the appointment of judges in acting capacity.
He explained that the two years in acting capacity are intended to be used as an assessment tool for the appointees.
Justice Kabiito emphasised that at the end of the two years in acting capacity, if the appointee judge performs below the minimum pass mark, he or she will not be confirmed and will revert to his/ her position of say being the registrar or magistrate.
Supreme Court Justice
- Muzamil Mutangula Kibeedi
Court of Appeal justices
-Ketra Kitariisibwa Katunguka
-Sabiiti Cornelia Kakooza
-Stella Alibateese
-Florence Nakacwa
-Byaruhanga Jese Rugyema
-John Mike Musisi
- Musa Ssekaana
-Esta Nambayo
High Court judges in acting capacity
-Sarah Langa Siu
-Rosemary Bareebe Ngabirano
-Mary Babirye
-Lillian Alum Omara
-Charles Kasibayo
-Mary Kaitesi Kisakye
-Susan Odong
-Karooli Lwanga Ssemwogerere
-Joanita Gertrude Bushera
-Simon Peter Kinobe
-Vincent Opyene
-Sarah Birungi Kalibaala
-Isaac Teko Bony
-Deepa Verma
-Flavia Grace Lamuno
-Fatuma Nanziri Bwanika
-Kwemara Kafuuzi Gelase
-Godfrey Himbaza
-Andrew Khaukha
-Dr Ginamia Melody Ngwatu
-Ida Nakiganda