President Museveni Calls for Discussion with Judiciary as New Justices are Sworn In
Hon. Justice Dr Flavian Zeija being sworn in as the new Principal Judge
Ugandan President, HE Yoweri Museveni, wants to have a candid and long discussion with all Judges this month.
The President, who spoke on Tuesday (December 14, 2020) afternoon at a Judges swearing in ceremony at State House Entebbe, suggested that the discussion takes place during the forthcoming 22nd Annual Judges Conference at Mestil Hotel in Kampala. He asked the Judiciary administration to shift the Conference from the scheduled dates of January 20-23, 2020 to the subsequent week.
"I want to use this time to have a long discussion with you (the judges)...this time, it shouldn't be a matter of just making a speech and I go away. I want us to have a proper discussion," said President Museveni, adding that the discussion would be around the notion of justice in the context of the elites, the villages and the bushmen.
"I represent two constituencies: the bush and the villages. I know that there is still some disconnect between what the laws made by the Parliament prescribe as justice, and what my people in the bush and villages, where I came from,appreciate to be justice.
He said the political movement he leads would push for some deliberate legal position. "We're social actors and we're here for social and political aims,"said the President.
Upon hearing the President's request, Hon. Lady Justice Stella Arach-Amoko, who chairs the Judges Conference Organizing Committee, immediately announced that the Conference would take place between January 27-30 2020, and the New Law Year event on January 31, 2020.
Earlier,the newly appointed Principal Judge, Hon. Justice Dr Flavian Zeija, and Supreme Court Justice, Hon. Justice Mike Chibita, took their Judicial Oath and Oaths of Allegiance.
Hon.Justice Ezekiel Muhanguzi and Hon. Lady Justice Percy Night Tuhaise, who were elevated from the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court, were only introduced to the President for a handshake, having already taken their Oaths when they were first appointed Judges.
The Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Bart Katureebe, expressed gratitude to the President for his continued support to the Judiciary, especially in terms of filling judicial vacancies. "Mr President, having elevated two Justices from the Court of Appeal, we now request you to equally fill those vacancies," said the CJ.
Newly appointed Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Ephraim Kamuntu,pledged to work closely with the Judiciary to give justice to the people of Uganda.
Notably present were the Deputy Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, PJ Emeritus, Hon. Justice Dr Yorokamu Bamwine, and Supreme Court Justices: Hon. Lady Justice Dr Esther Kisaakye, Hon. Lady Justice Arach-Amoko, Hon. Justice Richard Buteera and Hon. Justice Paul Mugamba. Others are Judicial Service Commissioners, led by Chairperson, Hon. Justice Benjamin Kabiito, PS/SJ Pius Bigirimana, and Ag. Chief Registrar, HW Tom Chemutai, plus a number of other Judicial and administration Officers of the Judiciary.
Posted 14th, January 2020
