KAMPALA —The chairperson of the Commission of Inquiry into Land Matters, Justice Catherine Bamugemerire, and the Director of Public Prosecutions, Justice Mike Chibita, are among 13 judges and individuals who have been shortlisted for the position of justice of the Supreme Court, the highest judicial organ in the country.
The Supreme Court, which is headed by the Chief Justice and has 10 other justices, has been grappling with staffing challenges.
And now it has emerged that from 13 judges have been shortlisted for the final interviews. They include Court of Appeal Judges Geoffrey W.M. Kiryabwire, Elizabeth Musoke, Catherine Bamugemerire, Abulu Obura and Justice Bashiraki Cheborion.
Others are Justice Ezekeil K. Muhanguzi, Justice Musota Stephen, Justice Percy Night Tuhaise, Justice Murangira Joseph and Justice Mike Chibita.
Justice Adonyo-Atim Henry Peter, Brig. Charles Wacha Angulo and Mr. Baku Raphael, a former Deputy IGG, complete the list.
Judicial Service Commission Regulations, 2005 state that a person shall be qualified for appointment as a justice of the Supreme Court if he or she has served as a justice of Appeal or a judge of the High Court or a court of similar jurisdiction to such a court or has practised as an advocate for a period not less than fifteen years before a court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters.
We could not immediately reach out Judiciary communications officer Solomon Muyita for a comment by press time.
Last week, President Museveni appointed a total of 15 judges, 12 of whom are to serve on the High Court Bench and three on the Court of Appeal Bench.
Those appointed to the Court of Appeal include; Irene Mulyagonja, the current Inspector General of Government (IGG) whose term of office as ombudsman expires early next year, Muzamiru Kibeedi Mutangula, a lawyer in private practice and justice Monica Mugenyi Kalegira, the current principal judge of the East African Court of Justice based in Tanzania.
Those appointed to the High Court Bench are; Vincent Emmy Mugabo, the public relations officer of the Judiciary, Immaculate Busingye, Isaac Muwata, Jesse Byaruhanga Rugyema, Isah Serukuma, Susan Abinyo, all registrars in the courts of Judicature.
Others are; Esta Nambayo, the current Chief Registrar, Jane Okuo Kajuga, the spokesperson of the office of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Boniface Wamala, the personal assistant to the Chief Justice Bart Katureebe, Philip Odoki, the personal assistant to the Deputy Chief Justice, Alfonse Owiny Dollo, Victoria Katamba Nakintu Nkwanga and Jeanne Rwakakoko.