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President Yoweri Museveni has received the new judges of the Supreme Court plus those assigned to the Court of Appeal.

Justice Catherine Bamugemereire and Justice Monica Kalyegira Mugenyi of the Court Appeal were introduced to the President on Thursday afternoon at State House-Entebbe.

President Museveni with Justice Catherine Bamugemereire.

The President also formally received Justice Margaret Tibulya and Justice Kazibwe Moses Kawumi from the Court of Appeal.

At the same event on Thursday, Justice Dr. Asa Mugenyi was sworn-in as a Court of Appeal judge.

Jugde swearing in.

Judge signing in.

During the ceremony, President Yoweri Museveni who congratulated the new judges upon achieving the milestones. He also said that he was happy with the current stability in the country that is characterising the institutions of the State.

“When I first came into government, all Chief Justices and many of the Judges were older than me but now all of them are younger than me.

He cited the Ben Kiwanuka and his school mates like lawyer Bamutulaki from Tooro who were killed by past governments as some of the seasoned lawyers murdered.

Jugdes and ministers during the meeting.

Today, such things are no longer there, and our manpower resource is building up slowly; coming out as young graduates, passing through the Judiciary and retiring peacefully, I’m very happy about that stability,” President Museveni remarked.

Expressing happiness about the enhanced human resource, Museveni added,

“That is why the Chief Justice is now talking about using retired judges to man the alternative justice because we have the manpower. 

That is how countries become stable and they grow. I'm so happy to see this happening in all institutions; the army, police, Judiciary and the civil service.”

According to a release from State House, President Museveni further reiterated his support to Alternative Dispute Resolution that aims at solving cases without necessarily going to court.

“I'm also happy with the harmonisation which the Chief Justice was talking about. This one you call the alternative justice. This harmonisation is very good, I think we are moving well,” he said.

The Vice President, Jessica Alupo lauded President Museveni for his strategic and dedicated efforts in managing and steering all arms of government with undivided attention and without discrimination.

Vice President, Jessica Alupo making her remarks at the event.

“You have given attention to the Judiciary as much as you have given to the Executive and also to the legislature. I would specifically like to thank you for growing the budget of the Judiciary gradually and the endeavors which have expeditiously brought Justice closer to the people of Uganda,” the Vice President stated according to release.

She also reechoed need for joint effort to fight corruption.

“Your Excellency, I would also like to remind the Judiciary that the fight against corruption is not lost. I would like to congratulate you as the foot-soldiers in the fight against corruption for the achievements that we have so far made as the government.”

Chief Justice, Alfonse Owiny-Dollo thanked President Museveni for strengthening the courts of judicature by giving them five new Justices.

Chief Justice, Alfonse Owiny-Dollo speaking at the meeting.

“I would like to congratulate the new members of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal upon your individual appointments and elevation. 

Your Excellency, I happen to know personally all the five new appointed Justices. I know each one of them to be competent and I know they will add value to the administration of Justice in this country,” he said.

Justice Dollo also commended President Museveni for being the chief supporter of massive transformation in the Judiciary by among others, increasing its budget.

“I will never get tired of thanking you and I will do it at any opportunity I get,” he said.

The Chief Justice also informed the President that they are introducing a robust application of the alternative dispute resolution, saying it is the way to go since it will have a monumental impact on the administration of Justice in the country.

The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao stated the members of the Judiciary are appointed on merit based on their education, competence, expertise and experience.

Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao making his remarks.

“Today we are showing the mutually reinforcing structures of the Ugandan State. Indeed the Ugandan State is like a rope of three strands; the Executive which you head, Your Excellency, the President, the Parliament and the Judiciary which is before us today. 

The people who have been presented before you are from a catchment area, normally they are primarily from the Judicial Service because that is where the repository of experience is,” said Mao.

He added, “At the Ministry of Justice, we encourage that because these are really the people who know how the system works and they have the correct temperament, and they made a conscious choice".

The second category he added are from the Ministries, Departments and Agencies, the third category are from private practice, the fourth category are those from academia and finally, the Judicial Service Commission finds it prudent to look for Ugandans who are serving in the Diaspora. 

"That is how I believe Your Excellency, you were able to fish out the formal Principal Judge, Justice Ogoola. These are the five catchment areas from where we get our Judiciary,” he added.

President Museveni in a photo with the Judges.

President Museveni in a group photo with judges.

VIPs at the ceremony included: the Deputy Chief Justice, Richard Buteera, Principal Judge, Dr.  Flavian Zeija, Judiciary- Permanent Secretary, Mr. Pius Bigirimana, the Chief Registrar, Her Worship Sarah Langa Siu.