Deputy registrar, chief magistrate lose jobs over misconduct

KAMPALA - Two judicial officers have been dismissed from the Judiciary service over misconduct.

The judicial officers are deputy registrar Cissy Mudhasi Kawuma and Chief Magistrate Ruth Nabaasa.

In a press release dated January 30, 2025, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) said in the exercise of its mandate under Article 148 of the Constitution, it has immediately dismissed the officers from the Judiciary Service.

“The JSC at its meetings held on January 9 and 21, 2025 concluded disciplinary proceedings against the two judicial officers,” the release states in part.

According to JSC, Kawuma was found to be culpable for abuse of her judicial authority when she ordered the attachment of bank accounts of Makerere University, Uganda Nurses and Midwives Council, and a private person without following proper legal procedures.

JSC senior communications officer Maria Theresa Nabulya said Kawuma’s action amounted to judicial misconduct in as far as they contravened the Uganda Judicial Code of Conduct and the JSC Regulations.

“She was insubordinate when she defied instructions of the Chief Justice where she entertained execution proceedings during the suspension period which had been instituted as a measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” she said.

On the other hand, Nabaasa was found culpable for abuse of Judicial authority, and acting in contravention of the Uganda Judicial Code of Conduct.

JSC ruled that Nabaasa was insubordinate when she defied orders of the High Court Judge directing her to determine the value of the properties in issue to ascertain whether the matter was within her jurisdiction.

“It was established that Nabaasa entertained a matter outside her jurisdiction in disregard of the High 

She said the JSC will continue to maintain the rule of law by upholding the highest level of Judicial accountability.