Justice Egonda-Ntende Lauded as "Chief Justice Uganda Never Had" on Retirement

Justice Fredrick Egonda-Ntende, a venerable figure in Uganda’s judiciary, has retired from the Court of Appeal, leaving behind a legacy that many believe should have seen him ascend to the highest judicial office.

During a special sitting convened in his honor, colleagues from the bench and bar, including Constitutional Court Justice Cheborion Barishaki and senior advocate Robert Kirunda, lauded Egonda-Ntende’s “distinguished jurisprudence, integrity, and administrative record.” They widely expressed the sentiment that Uganda was deprived of a chief justice it deserved in the form of Egonda-Ntende.

Egonda-Ntende’s four-decade career has been marked by a deep commitment to constitutionalism, the rule of law, and innovative judicial reforms. He is particularly credited with spearheading the judiciary’s transition to digital systems through the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS), a move that has drastically improved efficiency and accessibility.

His landmark decisions have clarified complex legal issues, notably in a case that challenged the government’s immunity from eviction, reinforcing property rights enshrined in the Constitution. Justice Hellen Obura recalled how his ruling, initially met with shock by government lawyers, was upheld by the Court of Appeal, fundamentally altering the landscape of litigation against the state.

Beyond his rulings, Egonda-Ntende was praised for his humility, discipline, and courage. Supreme Court Justice Christopher Izama Madrama highlighted Egonda-Ntende’s role as the intellectual force behind ECCMIS and the establishment of the Uganda Legal Information Institute (ULII), which democratized access to legal information.

Director of Public Prosecutions Lino Anguzu noted Egonda-Ntende’s influence on prosecutorial thinking, emphasizing fairness, legality, and constitutionalism over mere conviction. Egonda-Ntende himself reflected on his long judicial journey, expressing gratitude to his family and colleagues, and advocating for a more humane approach to justice, particularly regarding pretrial detention.

“My Lord’s tenure on the bench has been a legacy of the development of jurisprudence,” Justice Barishaki remarked, encapsulating the profound impact Justice Egonda-Ntende has had on Uganda’s legal system and beyond. His service extended internationally as Chief Justice of Seychelles and a UN judge in Kosovo and East Timor, solidifying his reputation as a global legal authority.

Source: https://observer.ug/news/fredrick-egonda-ntende-the-chief-justice-uganda-never-had