MPs salute Justice Sebutinde

Members of Parliament (MPs) have saluted Lady Justice Julia Sebutinde upon her election as vice-president of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The ICJ in The Hague, Netherlands announced on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, that Sebutinde was voted by her peers, for a term of three years.

Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa in his communication during plenary on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, said Sebutinde’s achievement has raised the Ugandan flag in the international sphere.

Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa in his communication during plenary on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, said Sebutinde’s achievement has raised the Ugandan flag in the international sphere. (Credit: Parliament)

“Being another lady who is raising our flag internationally, I want to take this opportunity on behalf of Parliament to congratulate her,” Tayebwa said.

He urged the legislators to continue praying for Sebutinde to dispense justice without fear or favour.

Sebutinde’s election comes a few days after she cast the only dissenting vote in a seven-judge panel, disagreeing with the six emergency measures in response to South Africa’s genocide case against Israel.

Tororo District Woman MP Sarah Opendi, who is also chairperson of the Uganda Women Parliamentary Association (UWOPA), congratulated Sebutinde upon her election.

“I add my voice to congratulate Justice Julia Sebutinde for that achievement. It is not a usual one to become a vice-president of the International Court of Justice,” Opendi said.

Sebutinde has been a member of the court since February 6, 2012.

Before joining the court, she was a judge at the Special Court for Sierra Leone from 2005 to 2011.

From 1996 to 2011, Sebutinde served as the Judge of the High Court of Uganda with original and appellant jurisdiction in civil and criminal cases.

The ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations (UN), which was established in June 1945 by the UN Charter.