Uganda Law Society Questions Judicial Appointments Amidst Legal Challenges

The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has expressed significant apprehension regarding the recent appointments of Justice Moses Kazibwe Kawumi as Deputy Chief Justice and Agnes Alum as Chief Registrar.

According to ULS Vice President Anthony Asiimwe, these appointments were made while critical constitutional questions concerning the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) remain outstanding. The ULS notes that Constitutional Petition No. 11 of 2025 and Constitutional Application No. 12 of 2025 are pending before the Constitutional Court, directly impacting the legality of the JSC’s composition, operations, and the amended Judicial Service Act and Regulations.

The core of the ULS’s argument is that the JSC’s current structure allegedly violates Article 146 of the Constitution due to the absence of duly nominated representatives from the ULS. This lack of representation, they argue, could render any recommendations and subsequent appointments void.

The society is urging the courts to expedite the hearing of these pending matters, alongside Civil Appeals 98 and 99 of 2025, which they claim were improperly removed from the Court of Appeal’s cause list, thereby delaying the election of ULS nominees to the JSC.

Asiimwe warned that proceeding with senior judicial appointments before these fundamental legal issues are resolved risks undermining public confidence in the judiciary and exposing the appointees to legal challenges. The ULS reiterated its dedication to upholding judicial independence, meritocracy, and constitutional principles.