Justice Kajuga assigned Principal Judge’s role

KAMPALA - The Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court judge, Jane Okuo Kajuga, has been assigned duties of the Principal Judge.

She will be managing the High Court, including the decentralised High Court Circuits, as well as the Magisterial Courts.

The Chief Justice, Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny–Dollo, assigned Kajuga duties as the Acting Principal Judge of the Courts of Judicature on today, April 24, 2025.

This assignment, made in exercise of the powers conferred under Article 133 of the Constitution and in accordance with Section 3(a) of the Administration of the Judiciary Act, follows the elevation of Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija to the position of Deputy Chief Justice.

Zeija replaced Richard Buteera, whose tenure ended on April 9, 2025, after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70.

A press statement from the Judiciary’s communications unit states that Kajuga will support the Chief Justice in the continued delivery of justice and in ensuring the efficient administration and management of the High Court and subordinate courts across the country until a substantive Principal Judge is appointed.

The Chief Justice congratulated the new Acting Principal Judge and wished her success in her new assignment.

He reaffirmed the Judiciary’s commitment to strengthening institutional leadership and improving access to justice for all.

About Kajuga

Kajuga was appointed a Judge of the High Court in 2019 and deployed at the Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court where she is the current Deputy Head.

She has handled complex and high-profile corruption cases with diligence, commitment and integrity.

In 2020, she was assigned the role of Focal Judge for Plea bargaining in the Judiciary and has since then successfully coordinated and overseen its implementation countrywide.

The Plea Bargain programme has greatly transformed the criminal justice landscape through expeditious, cost-effective and participatory resolution of criminal matters.

She is a key player in the promotion of Alternative Dispute Resolution and is a court-accredited mediator attached to the Family Division of the High Court.

Prior to joining the Bench, she worked with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for 20 years where she rose through the ranks from the position of State Attorney to Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions in charge of International Cooperation, Extraditions and Mutual Legal Assistance.

She was also the first spokesperson of the ODPP for over 14 years, a role she performed effectively.