Chief Justice Odoki retires
Justice Odoki
What you need to know:
Justice Ogoola said for the first time in Uganda’s history, this fourth important post in the country will be advertised in the print media and that by June; they would have forwarded the rightful candidates to President Museveni who would appoint a new chief justice.
Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki officially retires tomorrow after clocking the mandatory retirement age of 70.
However, the Constitution mandates him to continue holding this office for more three months.
He has been at the helm of the judiciary for the last twelve years.
About two weeks ago, the chairman Judicial Service Commission, Justice James Ogoola while launching the Client Service Charter in Kampala, confirmed that Mr Odoki would have an extension of three months to enable him complete pending work including writing judgments.
Justice Ogoola said for the first time in Uganda’s history, this fourth important post in the country will be advertised in the print media and that by June; they would have forwarded the rightful candidates to President Museveni who would appoint a new chief justice.
This means that Mr Odoki will be leaving the Judiciary on June 23.
Speaking to Daily Monitor recently, Justice Odoki said he has no regrets as he leaves the Judiciary.
Article 144 of the Constitution, states that in case of the Chief Justice, the Deputy Chief Justice, a Justice of the Supreme Court and a Justice of Appeal, they shall retire on attaining the age of seventy years.
Mr Odoki began his career in 1969 as state attorney attached to public prosecutions.
He will be remembered for having spearheaded the amalgamation of the 1995 constitution. He is mostly referred to as the father of the 1995 constitution.
He presided over two presidential petitions in which former Forum for Democratic Change president Kizza Besigye challenged the election of incumbent President Yoweri Museveni in 2001 and 2006.
Born in Busia, eastern Uganda on March 23, 1943, Mr Odoki went to Kings College Budo for secondary education. He enrolled at Dar es Salaam University where he studied law.
He was a year ahead of the late Eriya Kategaya, the late James Wapakabulo who were studying law and President Museveni who had enrolled for a degree in political science.
A father of four children, Mr Odoki is the 10th chief justice since independence.
Other past chief justices include; Sir Andley Mckisak (1961-1962), KG Bennet (Ag Chief Justice) 1962-1963 , Sir Udo Udoma (1963-1969), Sir Dermont Sheridan, (1969-1971), Benedicto Kiwanuka (1971-1972), Samuel Wako Wambuzi (1972-1975), Mohamed Saied (1975-1979), Samuel Wako Wambuzi (1979-1980), George Masika (1980-1985), Peter Allen (1985-1986), Samuel Wako Wambuzi (1986-2001), and Benjamin Odoki (2001-2013).
