Deputy Chief Justice retires

By Moses Walubiri

Barely two years after her appointment, Deputy Chief Justice, Alice Mpagi Bahegeine retired on Tuesday after clocking the mandatory 70 years of age.

Bahegeine’s retirement has compounded the shortage of manpower in the Court of Appeal where she has been part of the judicial bench.

Her retirement has reduced the number of Justices in the Appellate court to five, although they are meant to be eleven.

In an interface with the Legal and parliamentary Affairs committee Thursday, the Secretary to the Judiciary Dorcas Okalany said the Judiciary is hamstrung to execute its constitutional obligation of dispensing justice because of the incapacitating shortage of manpower.

Other Justices expected to retire this financial year include the Chief Justice, Benjamin Odoki and Supreme Court judge John Tsekooko.  

Bahegeine, who succeeded Lady Justice Leticia Kikonyogo, will in three months, officially draw curtains on her illustrious career in the judiciary after clearing the cases she is currently handling.