By Najib Mulema
President Yoweri Museveni has appointed Justice Alphonse Owiny-Dolo as the new Deputy Chief Justice replacing Justice Steven Kavuma.
In a letter issued on 18 August, 2017 to the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga, Museveni confirmed he had picked Owiny on the advice of Judicial service Commission.
He also propsed for parliamentary approval of the appointment of Justices Richard Buyers and Paul Mugamba to the Supreme Court.
The position of the Deputy Chief Justice was officially advertised on April 10 this year by the Judicial Service Commission, effectively shaking off public doubts about the retirement of Kavuma in September, 2017.
Article 143 (1b) of the Constitution stipulates that a person shall be qualified for appointment as deputy chief justice or principal judge if he or she has served as a justice of the Supreme court, a justice Court of Appeal, a judge of the High court or a court of similar jurisdiction to such a court.
The alternative is that such a person has practiced as an advocate, for a period not less than 15 years, before a court that has unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters.
najibmule@gmail.com
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