High Court judge Dr Douglas Karekona Singiza. PHOTO/FILE
President Museveni has appointed High Court judge Dr Douglas Karekona Singiza as the new chairperson of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), a key body tasked with recruiting and disciplining judicial officers.
The appointment was communicated to the Speaker of Parliament through a letter dated February 25, sources close to the presidency confirmed. Justice Singiza will replace Justice Benjamin Isingoma Kabiito, whose two-term tenure at the commission ended on January 21.
Additionally, Justice Rosette Comfort Kania, another High Court judge, has been appointed as the deputy chairperson of the commission, filling the position left vacant after Justice Faith Mwondha’s term ended on the same date.
The JSC, established by Article 146 of the Ugandan Constitution, is responsible for recruiting judicial officers and addressing issues of misconduct within the judiciary. The body is typically composed of nine officials.
In January this year, five commission officials hung up their boots because their two terms had lapsed, leaving a vacuum that the President, who is the appointing authority, has started to fill.
Other vacant positions at the commission include the representatives of the Uganda Law Society.
They were previously represented by Ruth Sebatindira and Norah Matovu Muwanga.
Another January 21 retiree was dJohnson Bitarabeho, who previously represented the public on the commission.
The attorney by virtue of his position, is the ex officio on the commission and the current Attorney Kiryowa Kiwanuka is eligible to serve in the new composition.
Who is Justice Singiza?
Justice Singiza, 56, has recently been in the public spotlight for handling several high-profile cases, including the controversial habeas corpus application filed by detained opposition figure Dr Kizza Besigye.
In his ruling, Justice Singiza dismissed Besigye's application for release from detention, stating that the matter had been overtaken by events. He also addressed personal attacks from social media critics, defending his decision and condemning defamatory portrayals.
Born in 1969 in Mitooma District, Justice Singiza holds multiple academic qualifications, including a Doctor of Laws (LLD) in Public Law from the University of Western Cape, a Master of Laws (LLM) in Human Rights from the University of Pretoria, and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Makerere University.
He is known for his expertise in multi-level governance, federalism, and decentralization, having earned recognition both regionally and internationally.
Singiza joined Uganda’s Judiciary in 1994 as a pupil magistrate and has since held various positions, including secretary to the Commission of Inquiry into Land Matters, and personal assistant to former Principal Judge Yorokamu Bamwine. He was appointed to the High Court Bench in 2022.
His career path was inspired by a close association with the late Supreme Court Justice Alfred N. Karokora during his school years at Mbarara High School.
