Uganda’s newly elevated Chief Justice, Flavian Zeija, has been honoured by the Judiciary of Uganda during a special meeting and luncheon held by the Court of Appeal of Uganda and the Constitutional Court of Uganda in Kampala.

The event, hosted at the Court of Appeal Building Conference Hall, marked Justice Zeija’s transition from Deputy Chief Justice to Chief Justice of the Republic of Uganda, with members of the bench and court users gathering to recognise his service and leadership.

In his remarks, the Chief Justice described the occasion as both humbling and emotional, marking the close of a significant chapter in his judicial service. Reflecting on his tenure at the Court of Appeal/Constitutional Court, he noted that although his time at the Court was demanding, it was equally fulfilling, owing to the strong teamwork, support, and collegial spirit among the Justices.

“Serving in this Court has been one of the greatest honours of my professional life. Together, we have borne the responsibility of interpreting the law and administering justice to the people of Uganda,” he said, emphasizing the Court’s critical role in strengthening the rule of law.

He commended the Justices for their intellectual rigour and commitment, noting that their robust deliberations and shared decisions have enriched Uganda’s jurisprudence and reinforced the core values of the Court. He also expressed appreciation to the Court’s support staff, whose professionalism, he said, has significantly contributed to the delivery of quality judgments.

Looking ahead, the Chief Justice acknowledged the persistent challenge of case backlog at the Court of Appeal but expressed optimism that the situation will improve once the statutory number of Justices is attained. He further pledged to maintain close engagement with the Court, indicating that he will be visiting at least once every quarter to support ongoing efforts aimed at improving justice delivery.

Moving the motion to minute the meeting, Geoffrey Kiryabwire noted that the special sitting was convened to formally record the Court’s congratulations and appreciation for the Chief Justice’s leadership during his tenure as Deputy Chief Justice. He commended him for providing clear vision and direction, which greatly benefited the Court.

“You know the challenges, aspirations, and needs of this Court. There is no one better placed than you to support its continued growth,” Justice Kiryabwire remarked, urging the Chief Justice to remain closely connected to the Court, particularly in the absence of a substantive Deputy Chief Justice.

The motion was seconded by Fredrick Martin Stephen Egonda-Ntende and Hellen Abulu Obura. Justice Egonda-Ntende described the Chief Justice’s leadership as impactful, noting that his tenure strengthened collegiality within the Court.

“Our loss is the gain of the entire Judiciary,” he said, expressing confidence in the Chief Justice’s ability to steer the institution in fulfilling its constitutional mandate.

Lady Justice Obura, in her tribute, highlighted the Chief Justice’s commitment to clearing case backlog and combating corruption, as well as his empathy, openness, and concern for the welfare of judicial officers. She recalled his supportive leadership style, noting that he consistently demonstrated both professional diligence and personal care for his colleagues.

Representing the Court of Appeal Court Users Committee, Norah Matovu commended the Chief Justice’s steady rise through the Judiciary, from High Court Judge to Principal Judge, Deputy Chief Justice, and now Chief Justice, describing his leadership as innovative and transformative. She particularly noted improvements in case management, including the adoption of systems aimed at expediting case disposal.

However, she also pointed to the Court’s backlog of over 12,700 cases and called for the urgent filling of judicial vacancies up to the statutory ceiling of 35 Justices to enhance access to justice, especially for vulnerable court users.

The event concluded with the presentation of gifts to the Chief Justice and his team, bringing to a close a ceremony that underscored both appreciation for past leadership and the pressing need for continued judicial reform in Uganda.