Prime
Kigezi eats big in Zeija, Nuwagaba appointments
Combo: Incoming Deputy Chief Justice, Justice Flavian Zeija (L) and Deputy Governor of Bank of Uganda Prof Augustus Nuwagaba (R). PHOTOS/DAVID LUBOWA/COURTESY OF PROF AUGUSTUS NUWAGABA’S X HANDLE
What you need to know:
- President Museveni has appointed Dr Zeija as the Deputy Chief Justice and Prof Nuwagaba was announced as the Deputy Governor of the Bank of Uganda.
The appointment of Justice Flavian Zeija as the Deputy Chief Justice and Prof Augustus Nuwagaba as the Central Bank’s Deputy Governor has been met with excitement and praise from various individuals, including old students and residents of the Kigezi Sub-region.
The duo hails from the Kigezi Sub-region. Justice Zeija was appointed by President Museveni last week while Prof Nuwagaba was announced as the new Deputy Governor of the Bank of Uganda yesterday.
Justice Zeija now replaces Justice Richard Buteera who retires in April this year when he clocks 70 years while Prof Nuwagaba replaces Mr Michael Atingi-Ego who has been elevated to Governor of Bank of Uganda.
The outgoing Principal Judge has been described as a dedicated, intelligent, and hardworking jurist.
Ms Twebaze Margaret, the Deputy Head Teacher at St Mary’s College Rushoroza, where Justice Zeija studied for his O and A levels, described him as a respected and serious individual during his time as head boy.
“Reflecting on who Flavian Zeija was during our time, I believe the President made the right choice. This is the guy who was humble, principled, and corporative and respected every member in the community,” Ms Twebaze said.
She noted that Justice Zeija, who is also the patron of the Old Students' Association, introduced the Principal Judge Award last year to recognise the best-performing students in the O-Level and A-Level final exams.
The Principal Judge Award that he introduced last year at his former secondary school, St Mary’s College Rushoroza in Kabale Municipality, demonstrates his commitment to promoting excellence and rewarding hard work among students.
Counsel Justus Muhangi of Justus Muhangi praised Justice Zeija as a passionate advocate for justice, who is committed to ensuring that all litigants, regardless of their background, receive fair treatment.
He expressed optimism that Justice Zeija’s appointment will lead to proactive measures to address injustices in the judiciary.
“Justice Zeija is a unique judicial officer who is passionate about delivering justice even to the common person, and am sure we are going to have the best out of him,” counsel Muhangi said
Mr Alex Byakatonda, the Kabale District Communications Officer, said Kigezi is thrilled with the appointment, which is expected to bring about positive changes in the legal landscape of Uganda.
He noted that Justice Zeija’s respect for the law and humanity makes him an ideal candidate for the position.
President Museveni last week appointed more than 30 judicial officers at different ranks including Justice Zeija as the new Deputy Chief Justice, one justice to the Supreme Court, eight justices to the Court of Appeal/ Constitutional Court, and 21 judges to the High Court.
The newly appointed judicial officers were vetted by Parliament yesterday and now await the taking of the judicial oath before the President before they can officially assume work.
PROF NUWAGABA BIO
Prof Augustus Nuwagaba is a graduate of London School of Economics, MBA and PhD obtained from Makerere University. He is an international Consultant on economic transformation in Africa, a member of the African Regional Panel of Experts on Development and Global Forum on human development, Geneva, Switzerland, a consultant for the Development of the United Nations Development Programme for Uganda Country Programme 2020/2021- 2024/2025 and developing Uganda’s National Research Agenda, 2021. Prof Nuwagaba is also an international consultant for analysis of the Ugandan diaspora (Europe, North America and Asia) on direct investment in Uganda and a member of the World Bank consultative group, among other roles.
