Dr. Pius Bigirimana, the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Judiciary, has issued a directive banning the display of portraits of Deputy Chief Justice Richard Butera and Principal Judge Dr. Flavian Zeija in judges’ chambers and courtrooms. The order was communicated through an internal memo dated November 21, 2023.
In the memo, Bigirimana specified that only the portraits of President Yoweri Museveni, as the head of State, and Chief Justice Owiny Dollo, as the head of the Judiciary, should be exhibited in judges’ chambers and courtrooms. However, he allowed an exception for the chambers of the Deputy Chief Justice and the Principal Judge, where their portraits are permitted to remain.
To implement the directive, Bigirimana instructed judiciary staff responsible for portraits to coordinate with the Office of the President to obtain a new portrait of President Museveni. This new portrait is intended to replace the old ones, which are to be removed from judges’ offices.
Efforts to seek comments from the affected judicial officers on the matter were unsuccessful, as many declined to comment, citing a reluctance to become involved in internal conflicts. A judiciary staff member at Buganda Road expressed a desire to avoid unnecessary internal disputes.
