President Museveni has appointed Justices Catherine Bamugemereire and Monica Mugenyi to the Supreme Court, the highest judicial body in Uganda. The announcement was made by Ms Maria Teresa Nabulya, the spokesperson of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
Ms Nabulya revealed that the two justices, who have previously served at the Court of Appeal and Constitutional Court, are set to undergo vetting by the Parliament’s Appointments Committee, chaired by Speaker Anita Among.
The elevation of Justices Bamugemereire and Mugenyi follows the impending retirement of Justice Faith Mwondha, who is reaching the age of 70 in March. This brings the total number of justices at the Supreme Court to 11, including Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo.
In November 2023, Parliament passed the Judicature (Amendment) Bill, rejecting a proposal to increase the number of Supreme Court justices from 11 to 21. The Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs argued that such an increase would not effectively address case backlog issues and could escalate government expenditure.
The rejected proposal contrasted with the approval to increase the number of Court of Appeal justices by 20, bringing the total to 35. The government’s initial proposal suggested an increase to 56, aiming to operationalize regional courts of appeal and address case backlog concerns.
The staffing gap left at the Court of Appeal, where the newly appointed justices were picked from, remains uncertain in terms of when it will be filled.
Who is Justice Bamugemereire?
Justice Catherine Bamugemereire, a career judicial officer, began as a State Attorney in 1993 before ascending through various judicial roles. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in law from Makerere University and a Master’s degree in Comparative Law, she has made significant contributions to the legal field, serving at the Anti-corruption court and the Family Division.
Justice Bamugemereire’s career includes heading commissions of inquiry into land matters and the Kampala Lord Mayor’s controversial impeachment in 2013. Known for her extensive writings and presentations on corruption, she has delivered over 20 landmark judgments, showcasing her commitment to justice.
Who is Justice Mugenyi?
Justice Monica Kalyegira Mugenyi, born in 1969, brings over 25 years of legal and judicial experience to her new role. With a Bachelor’s Degree in laws from Makerere University and an LLM International Trade Law degree from the University of Essex, UK, she has served at various duty stations, including the East African Court of Justice.
Justice Mugenyi’s diverse career includes presiding over the First Instance Division at the East African Court of Justice and contributing to the operationalization of the Uganda Road Fund. She has also played roles in private practice, providing technical advisory services to institutions such as Uganda Revenue Authority and Makerere University.
