ENTEBBE — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has presided over the swearing-in ceremony of Uganda’s new Deputy Chief Justice, Moses Kazibwe Kawuumi, using the occasion to renew calls for stronger action against corruption and inefficiency within the country’s justice system.
The ceremony, held at State House Entebbe, brought together senior government officials, judicial officers and members of the legal fraternity.
President Museveni congratulated Justice Kawuumi on his appointment and commended Chief Justice Flavian Zeija for spearheading reforms aimed at improving accountability and service delivery in the Judiciary.
“I congratulate the Deputy Chief Justice, Moses Kazibwe Kawuumi, and I also salute the aggressive spirit of the Chief Justice in fighting corruption,” President Museveni said.
The President reflected on the state of Uganda’s judicial system before the National Resistance Movement came to power, arguing that corruption and an overreliance on procedural technicalities often undermined the delivery of substantive justice.
“When we were fighting in the bush, we had two major problems with the judicial system. One was corruption in the courts, where people could influence outcomes through bribery. The second was the lack of substance, where too much time was spent on procedures rather than delivering justice,” he said.
President Museveni also highlighted traditional African approaches to justice, noting that they combined punishment with reconciliation and restoration of social harmony.
“Our traditional system was both retributive and restorative. If a member of one clan killed someone from another clan and if the clan of the one who was killed did not want revenge, there were mechanisms for compensation, accountability, reconciliation and forgiveness. It ensured justice while maintaining social harmony,” he said.
The President welcomed ongoing reforms within the Judiciary, particularly efforts to combat corruption and expand the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), which he said can help reduce case backlogs and improve access to justice.
“I am glad that you are making progress in fighting corruption and addressing the issue of lack of substance in judicial processes. I am also happy with the promotion of Alternative Dispute Resolution, which saves time and resources,” he added.
He further noted what he described as a generational transition within the Judiciary, saying younger judicial officers were increasingly taking up leadership positions.
“When we had just assumed power, many judges were older than me. Now it is the reverse; I am the oldest while most of you are young. That is a positive development,” he remarked.
Zeija Highlights Digital Transformation Agenda
Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Justice Flavian Zeija thanked President Museveni for ensuring that vacancies within the Judiciary are filled promptly, saying the practice has helped strengthen service delivery and improve access to justice.
He also congratulated Justice Kawuumi on his appointment and urged him to continue implementing reforms initiated during his tenure as Deputy Chief Justice.
“I left that office as a paperless court. I encourage you to continue with the digitisation agenda and strengthen the systems we have put in place,” Zeija said.
The Chief Justice said the Judiciary is advancing plans for an integrated judicial management system that will connect courts across the country and improve operational efficiency.
He also emphasized the need for transparent case allocation and hearing schedules, arguing that delays and selective case listing had historically created opportunities for corruption.
“There must be a clear and transparent criterion for case allocation and listing. Cases should be handled fairly and according to established procedures,” he said.
Zeija further proposed the creation of a specialised judicial unit to handle environmental and infrastructure-related disputes, citing the growing significance of environmental justice in Uganda’s development agenda.
Kawuumi Pledges Continuity and Accountability
In his acceptance remarks, Justice Kawuumi thanked President Museveni for the confidence placed in him and pledged to uphold the Constitution and strengthen public trust in the Judiciary.
“I am deeply grateful for the appointment, Your Excellency, and I will work tirelessly to serve the people of Uganda and uphold the Constitution,” he said.
The new Deputy Chief Justice committed himself to strengthening institutional systems, advancing digital transformation and supporting efforts to eliminate corruption within the justice sector.
He also praised the President’s continued emphasis on accountability and transparency in public institutions.
Before his appointment, Justice Kawuumi served as a Justice of the Court of Appeal and has been involved in several key judicial reforms.
The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Sam Mayanja, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Norbert Mao, Judicial Service Commission officials and senior members of the Judiciary.
The appointment comes as the Judiciary continues to pursue reforms aimed at reducing case backlogs, expanding digital services and strengthening public confidence in the administration of justice.