Law Society honours justices Egonda-Ntende and Kiryabwire

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Court of Appeal justices Fredrick Egonda-Ntende and Geoffrey Kiryabwire have been honoured with lifetime achievement awards by the Uganda Law Society (ULS) in recognition of their pioneering work in digital transformation and innovative approaches to justice in the country.

The awards were presented to them at the closing of the lawyers’ body two-day digital transformation festival at the Commonwealth Resort Hotel in Munyonyo on Friday (August 15).

Egonda-Ntende was recognised for his role in convincing the South African Legal Information Institute to help Uganda’s Judiciary to create the Ugandan Legal Information Institute (ULII), which provides unrestricted access to legal information, including decided cases.

Seasoned lawyer Ellison Karuhanga, who read the citations, said justices Egonda-Ntende and Kiryabwire’s lives are proof that when law is wielded with wisdom can be both a shield and a sword.

Kiryabwire was recognised for not only promoting digital transformation through advocating for the introduction of Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS), but also for his innovative approaches to justices such as the introduction of the small claims procedure that has been instrumental in promoting access to justice in the country.

Others recognised include David Sunday Kikabi, the head of the Judiciary’s ICT department, High Court Judge Rosemary Bareebe, retired judge Henry Peter Adonyo, Prof. Bitange Ndemo, Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba and journalist Ritah Kaggwa.

Ndemo is a global technocrat and Kenya’s ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium and the European Union while Baryamureeba is the chairperson of the board of directors of Uganda Technology and Management University (UTAMU).

Also recognised with a digital excellence award were the Judiciary ECCMIS technical committee, High Court Judge Immaculate Busingye, Joseph Ssenabulya, Dennis Rwatooro, Deputy registrar Dr Gladys Nakibuule Kisekka, grade one magistrate Jane Mugala, Jessica Chemeri, Elizabeth Akullo, Daniel Bwambale, Margaret Wagana, Winnie Naigaga, Marion Mangeni (R.I.P), Joel Wegoye, Julian Rweju, the acting director e-government services and the court reporters’ association.

'Change is coming'

ULS president Isaac Ssemakadde attended the ceremony remotely. He said the ULS is committed to regaining its strength through new initiatives, most notably through digital transformation.

The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) registrar general, Mercy Kainobwisho, commended ULS for leading the transformative shift, ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of digital justice for all.

In a keynote address, Ndemo underscored the importance of embracing technology in the administration of justice.

“Whether we like it or not, change is coming, and in truth, it is already here. Technology does not wait for our comfort, our politics, or even our laws. It advances at its own pace. Artificial intelligence and blockchain are not just changing the tools we use; they are changing the very foundations of our economies, our governance, and our trade."

Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister Norbert Mao commended ULS for coming up with the digital transformation festival, saying it has demonstrated its power of organisation and strategic action.

“We want the Judiciary, ULS and technological power to have boundaries, and that is really my main argument to you,” he said.

Advocate Ronald Tharry Muhwezi won a brand-new Mercedes-Benz, which was the grand prize at the historic festival.