Justice Benjamin Odoki has lauded the appointment of Justice Bart Katureebe as chief justice. Speaking at the official handover of office at the High court yesterday, the former chief justice said:
"I want to salute the president for making this choice because this is a person [Katureebe] I have known for over 40 years. First, he [Katureebe] was my student at Law Development Centre and I have subsequently worked with him in the judiciary for many years. I would like to sincerely congratulate him."
Odoki went on to assure his successor that he would give him maximum support.
"To me this is a historical occasion. I'm handing office over to my former student. I think his lordship [Katureebe] has learnt his lessons well," a jovial Odoki said.
The former chief justice said the transfer of power in the judiciary has been peaceful.
"In the history of the judiciary, there has been a situation where the transfer of power was protracted but I'm happy that there is an orderly transfer of power now," he said.
"I don't think there has been a fight," he added, drawing laughter.
On March 5, 2015, following a two-year period during which President Museveni attempted to reappoint retiring Odoki only to be resisted in court, Katureebe was named to the position. He had been the preferred candidate of not only the Judicial Service Commission but also the legal fraternity, and indeed the public.
As lawyers battled Odoki's reappointment in court, Justice Steven Kavuma was controversially called upon to serve as both acting deputy chief justice and acting chief justice until his appointment was confirmed alongside Katureebe's. In his speech, the new broom Katureebe rejected claims by a prominent lawyer, that Uganda's judiciary is dead. Read more
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