Parliament vets new Deputy Chief Justice, 31 judges

The Parliament’s Committee on Appointments yesterday vetted and approved 32 judges, including the new Deputy Chief Justice, Flavian Zeija, who was recently appointed by President Museveni.

Sources, who attended the vetting process, which was carried out in camera, said all the appointees were approved.

Speaking to journalists shortly after their vetting, Ms Sarah Langa Siu, the outgoing chief registrar, said their appointment and approval would ensure timely justice for all Ugandans.

“As you have been seeing, the Chief Justice and Judiciary have been saying we are understaffed, having a low number of judges. With the new 21 High Court judges, you can be sure that there will be expeditious delivery of cases since the workload will be spread across the new judges,” Ms Langa Siu said.

She also pledged to improve the image of the Judiciary by adhering to the code of conduct and maintaining the oath they are slated to undertake.

Justice Muzamil Mutangula Kibeedi, the only Supreme Court designate, told journalists that he was ready to take on the mantle, saying he has served in the Judiciary for a long time and is not worried.

“It is an excellent appointment. I see it as a challenge since it comes with more responsibilities for me. But I believe I have what it takes to address those challenges,” Justice Kibeedi said.

He explained that the task awaiting him largely involves refining and redesigning standards to be followed by all lower courts.

The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Mr Joel Ssenyonyi, who also attended the vetting exercise, told journalists afterwards that he had no problem with most of the vetted judges except Mr Simon Peter Kinobe, whom he accused of being partisan.

Mr Ssenyonyi claimed that Mr Kinobe, a former president of the Uganda Law Society, has frequently appeared on radio talk shows and has repeatedly attacked the Opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters.

He expressed concern that if approved as a judge, Mr Kinobe might be biased.

“He has been attacking NUP supporters on talk shows, and now he has been appointed as a judge. I asked him, if any NUP member lands in his court, will he be able to serve them independently? Of course, he said he would be neutral since he is a judge, but I doubt it,” Mr Ssenyonyi said.

Mr Ssenyonyi also opposed appointing 21 judges in an acting capacity, arguing that it affects their service as they lack job security.

“If someone qualifies to be a judge, why appoint him or her in an acting capacity? Since they do not have the security of tenure, they might be forced to act in a certain way to please the boss so that they are appointed again. This is wrong,” he said.

Tororo County South Member of Parliament Fredrick Angura urged the judges to put their house in order and fast-track the hearing of cases that have led to a huge case backlog.

The judges now await the oath-taking before they can assume their duties.

APPOINTEES

Supreme Court Justice

Muzamil Mutangula Kibeedi

Court of Appeal Justices

Ketra Kitariisibwa Katunguka

Sabiiti Cornelia Kakooza

Stella Alibateese

Florence Nakacwa

Byaruhanga Jese Rugyema J

John Mike Musisi

Musa Ssekaana

Esta Nambayo

High Court Judges in Acting Capacity

Sarah Langa Siu

Rosemary Bareebe Ngabirano

Mary Babirye

Lillian Alum Omara

Charles Kasibayo

Mary Kaitesi Kisakye

Susan Odong

Karooli Lwanga Ssemwogerere

Joanita Gertrude Bushera

Simon Peter Kinobe

Vincent Opyene

Sarah Birungi Kalibaala

Isaac Teko Bony

Deepa Verma

Flavia Grace Lamuno

Fatuma Nanziri Bwanika

Kwemara Kafuuzi Gelase

Godfrey Himbaza

Andrew Khaukha

Dr Ginamia Melody Ngwatu

Ida Nakiganda

Re-appointed in Acting Capacity for One Year

Faridah Bukirwa