Hon. Justice Owiny-Dollo speaking at the late Hon. Justice Tsekooko' funeral
MANAFWA: Thousands of people gathered at the home the late Hon. Justice John Wilson Natubu Tsekooko in Bunakhaima Village, Butitu sub-county, Manafwa District to pay their last respects to the fallen Judge who succumbed to prostate cancer on October 15, 2019.
Hon. Justice Tsekooko died six years after retiring from the Judiciary where he had worked as a Supreme Court Justice for some 21 years. He had been suffering from prostate cancer.
In condolence message read by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, President HE Yoweri Kaguta Museveni urged Judicial Officers to emulate the late Judge. "Death took from us a learned man of great experience who was steadfast and candid. He served Uganda with diligence in various capacities. The country shall remain indebted to his dedicated service in the Judiciary, where he worked as state Attorney, High Court Judge and Justice of the Supreme Court. I trust that those he leaves behind shall emulate his example," the President's speech read in part.
Adding that the Government relies on the Judiciary to help it achieve the goals of sustainable development.
The Deputy Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo who led a delegation from the Judiciary urged Government to improve the welfare of retired Judicial Officers. "The Government should look after Judicial Officers not only when they are in service but also when they have retired. When you are a Judge, your freedom is removed. You don't exercise freely like others and you do not even do business," he said.
While handing over Shs30M from the Government, the Deputy Chief Justice said had the condolence money been given to Hon. Justice Tsekooko while he was still alive, he would have sought better treatment in India and perhaps have lived for more years."
He further said Hon. Justice Tsekooko was accessible to everyone and delivered his judgments in accordance with the law.
Rtd Gen Otafiire said the government is committed to supporting the welfare of judicial officers. "We introduced administration of Justice Bill which is before Parliament and it has clauses of supporting judicial officers while in their retirement," he said.
Gen Otafiire eulogized the late as an upright man.
Dr Dennis Bwayo, a son of the deceased, described the late as a loving and caring father.
Hon. Justice Tsekooko began his life in the law as a state attorney but after a few years,he started work as a lawyer in the private sector. During the failing years of the Idi Amin regime, he left the country and lived in exile until that government fell.
Eleven years after his return to Uganda came the first judicial appointment, to a position on the High Court from which he was elevated to the Supreme Court in 1994.
The judge is seen in many quarters as one of the best Uganda has ever produced.
In a humorous tribute to her husband, Dr Pauline Tsekooko said during their courtship, the deceased and Vice-President Hon. Edward Ssekandi (both lawyers) would waylay her along the road she often used while working at Mbale Hospital.
The Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Bart M. Katureebe described Hon. Justice Tsekooko as a true professional who became his teacher when he joined court
Posted 21st, October 2019
