The Parliamentary Appointments Committee has today vetted nominees for two key judicial and governance positions — the Principal Judge and the Leadership Code Tribunal.
The Committee, chaired by the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among, considered the nomination of Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo for the position of Principal Judge. Justice Abodo, currently the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), was nominated by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni upon the advice of the Judicial Service Commission, in line with Article 142(1) of the 1995 Constitution.
“The Appointments Committee of the House convened to vet Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, who has been nominated for the position of Principal Judge,” Speaker Among confirmed in a statement, noting that the committee will submit its report to the appointing authority in accordance with parliamentary rules.
In addition, the committee vetted nominees to the Leadership Code Tribunal, which is mandated to enforce the Leadership Code Act and hold leaders accountable for integrity in public service.
The nominees include: Dr. Roselyn Karugonjo, Chairperson; Dr. Anthony Conrad Kaweesi Kakooza, Deputy Chairperson; Ms. Jane Okelowange, Member; Mr. Didas Bakunzi Mufasha, Member; and Ms. Annette Karungi, Member.
The Committee’s decision on the suitability of the nominees will be relayed to the President.
If approved, Justice Abodo will become Uganda’s fifth Principal Judge, succeeding Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija, who recently completed his term. The Principal Judge is the head of the High Court and supervises all High Court judges and magistrates across the country, a role critical to strengthening judicial efficiency and access to justice.
The vetting of both Justice Abodo and the Tribunal nominees comes at a time when Uganda is seeking to enhance judicial independence, integrity, and the enforcement of leadership accountability mechanisms.