KAMPALA, Uganda — Chief Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo has stepped down after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70, yesterday 18th January. His tenure was marked by reform, controversy and courage.
Owiny-Dollo grew up in northern Uganda and trained at Makerere University and the Law Development Centre before further studies abroad. He joined the judiciary as a judge, rose to the Court of Appeal and Constitutional Court, served as deputy chief justice and became chief justice in August 2020.
He led efforts to modernise the courts. New court buildings opened, electronic case systems were introduced and alternative dispute resolution was encouraged to reduce long delays. These changes helped move a slow judiciary toward greater efficiency. But backlogs remain, especially in rural areas, and many Ugandans still wait months or years for justice.
Owiny-Dollo was not shy about speaking his mind. At times, that brought conflict. In March 2022, he apologised unreservedly to His Majesty the Kabaka of Buganda after a speech at a vigil for the late speaker of Parliament in which he made inappropriate references to the monarch and Baganda. He said his remarks were made in grief and were wrong and inappropriate, and he communicated his apology formally to the Buganda leadership.
His relationship with the Uganda Law Society was tense at times. In early 2025, he refused to allow the society’s president, Isaac Ssemakadde, to speak at the opening of the New Law Year until he apologised for insulting judges. When Ssemakadde refused, he and other lawyers walked out. Later, Ssemakadde declined Owiny-Dollo’s appointment to a Law Reform Committee, saying he could not serve under the current judicial climate and urging focus on fair, transparent and speedy hearings instead of apologies.
Owiny-Dollo defended his actions, saying courts must be respected and that attacks on judges undermine public trust. He told lawyers they are “officers of the court” whose responsibility is to serve justice, not act like trade unionists. These clashes exposed deeper tensions about how the legal profession and judiciary relate in a growing democracy.
The judiciary he leaves is larger and more visible than when he took office. There are more judges and courts in districts outside Kampala, and technology plays a bigger role in managing cases. But challenges remain: funding is limited, case backlog persists, and many citizens still struggle to access justice close to home.
Now attention turns to who will succeed him. The Judicial Service Commission has forwarded several names to the president for consideration. Among the leading contenders are:
- Justice Mike Chibita – a senior judge with years of service on the Supreme and Court of Appeal.
- Justice Catherine Bamugemereire – known for inquiry and reform leadership.
- Justice Monica Mugenyi – a respected jurist with experience in administrative roles.
- Justice Christopher Madrama – a Supreme Court judge with deep legal experience.
- Deputy Chief Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija – who has stood in to lead the judiciary and knows its workings.
Each candidate brings strengths: some are seasoned in managing courts, others in reform and administration. The next chief justice will need to bridge divides, build trust and deepen reforms that touch everyday Ugandans’ lives.
Owiny-Dollo’s tenure will be remembered for its ambition and turbulence. His apology to the Kabaka showed humility; his clashes with the Bar revealed deep debates about accountability and respect.
As he steps down, the real question for Uganda is whether the next leader can strengthen the rule of law while keeping the judiciary open to criticism, fair to all and trusted by the people. Its real test now is not just who sits at the top next, but whether it can deliver justice fairly and swiftly to every Ugandan who seeks it.
