Hon. Justice Kwesiga to Head Panel in Muslim Clerics' Trial
Hon. Justice Wilson Kwesiga the new head of the panel
The Principal Judge, Dr. Yorokamu Bamwine, has assigned Hon. Justice Wilson Kwesiga to head the panel of three High Court Judges handling the trial of Uganda Vs Kawooya & 13 Others, who are accused of murdering rival Muslim clerics two years ago.
This follows the retirement of Hon. Judge Ezekiel Muhanguzi,who has been heading the panel, in February, 2017 upon clocking the mandatory retirement age of 65. His (Hon. Justice Muhanguzi) three-month extension to complete his pending work also ended on May 16, 2017 meaning he cannot continue handling any court unless he gets a contract.
A Judiciary request for the reappointment of Hon. Justice Muhanguzi on contract is still pending before the Judicial Service Commission.
To that effect, the Principal Judge invoked Article 141 of the Constitution and Section 20 (1) of the Judicature Act to temporarily assign Hon. Justice Kwesiga on the ongoing matter.
"This is to assign you...to head the Panel of Judges that will manage the case come 26th May 2017 and thereafter if need be, as the issue of his reappointment gets the necessary attention of the appointing authority,"wrote Justice Bamwine in part in his May 15, 2017 letter.
The other judges in the murder trial, now in its conclusion stage, are Hon. Lady Justices: Percy Tuhaise and Jane Kiggundu.
Posted 18th, May 2017
