By Johnson Kanyesige
President Museveni has appointed Flavian Zeija as the Deputy Chief Justice ahead of Richard Buteera’s retirement from the Supreme Court in May.
Justice Zeija has been the Principal Judge of the High Court, a position the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) did not fill.
Justice Zeija’s role that will see him oversee a significant portion of the country’s judicial functions. His appointment comes at a critical time for the Judiciary, which is in the process of expanding its capacity to deal with an increasing number of cases.
In the same appointments, the President filled the vacant seat left by Justice Esther Kisaakye’s flight to exile last year. She has been replaced on the Supreme Court bench with Justice Muzamil Mutangula Kibeedi.
Justice Kibeedi’s appointment adds to the court’s strength as it continues to handle the most complex and impactful cases in legal system.
The appointments, made in line with the country’s commitment to strengthening its judicial system, were confirmed by the President on February 6, 2025.
The appointments also includes eight justices to the Court of Appeal with High Court judge Musa Ssekaana the most notable of the lot.
The others are Lady Justices Ketra Kitariisibwa Katunguka, Sabiiti Cornelia Kakooza, Stella Alibateese, Florence Nakacwa, and Esta Nambayo.
They are joined on the appellant bench by Justice Jesse Byaruhanga Rugyema and John Mike Musisi.
“These new appointments will bolster the appellate system, ensuring that appeals are handled with the expertise and efficiency that the country’s legal system demands,” said Ms Maria Theresa Nabulya, the acting senior communications officer at the JSC.
In addition to these key appointments, the President appointed 21 acting Judges to the High Court, with a term of two years.
This list includes figures such as Sarah Langa Siu, who until December was the Registrar of the Judiciary.
During the Supreme Court judgement last week, the highest bench in the land was covered by four esteemed women. They could have been five against two men had Justice Kisaakye not jumped ship earlier.
And the continuation that the JSC list has felt with five of the new Court of Appeal justices being women continues down the rungs of the ladder in the High Court.
Lady Justice Langa is joined by a troupe women Lady Justices Rosemary Bareebe Ngabirano, Mary Babirye, Deepa Verma, Lillian Alum Omara, and Ida Nakiganda.
Others are Mary Babirye, Mary Kaitesi Kisakye, Susan Odongo, Joanita Gertrude Bushara, Sarah Birungi Kalibbala,Flavia Grace Lamuno and Fatuma Nanziri Bwanika.
Meanwhile the President also reappointed Lady Justice Faridah Shamilah Bukirwa, whose run-ins with the Judiciary while an acting Judge of the High Court in Jinja was widely publicised.
The JSC said the reappointment for a period of one year follows the conclusion of her disciplinary proceedings.
The new appointments are expected to enhance the Judiciary’s capacity, improve the administration of justice, and uphold the rule of law in Uganda.
