High Court of Uganda


The High Court of Uganda, also Uganda High Court, is the third-highest judicial organ in Uganda, behind the Supreme Court of Uganda and the Court of Appeal of Uganda. It has "unlimited original jurisdiction", with powers to try any case of any value or crime of any magnitude. It is also mandated to hear all appeals from all Magistrates Courts. High Court judgements are appealable to the Uganda Court of Appeal.

Location

The High Court of Uganda is located at 2 The Square, in Kampala Central Division, one of the five administrative burroughs of Uganda's capital city Kampala. The geographical coordinates of the offices of the Uganda High Court are: 0°18'57.0"N, 32°34'46.0"E.

Overview

The High Court of Uganda is headed by the Principal Judge, who is responsible for management of the court, including assigning duties to member justices of the court. The PJ is also responsible for supervising the Magistrates Courts below the High Court. The PJ does not hear cases herself/himself. The current Principal Judge of Uganda is Justice Yorokamu Bamwine.
The High Court has the following eight divisions: Anti-Corruption Division Civil Division Commercial Division Criminal Division Execution and Bailiffs Division Family Division International Crimes Division and Land Division.
In addition to the Kampala headquarters, the High Court has the following circuits where cases can be heard closer to the litigants' domicile.

Composition

The Justices of the High Court of Uganda are headed by the Principal Judge of Uganda. The following are the justices of the High Court of Uganda, as of 15 August 2017:

Justices in High Court divisions

The following Hgh court justices are assigned to the divisions of the Hgh Court of Uganda:
  1. Flavian Zeija: Principal Judge and Head of Court
  2. John Wilson Kwesiga: Head of Criminal Division
  3. Flavia Anglin Senoga: Deputy Head of Criminal Division
  4. Elizabeth Kabanda: Criminal Division
  5. Yasin Nyanzi: Criminal Division
  6. Stephen Musota: Head of Civil Division
  7. Margaret Oguli: Deputy Head of Civil Division
  8. Lydia Mugambe: Civil Division
  9. Henrietta Wolayo: Civil Division
  10. Christopher Madrama Izama: Head of Executions & Bailiffs
  11. Patricia Basaza Wasswa: Deputy Head of Executions & Bailiffs
  12. Andrew Bashaija: Head of Land Division
  13. Godfrey Namundi: Deputy Head of Land Division
  14. Damalie Lwanga: Land Division
  15. Henry Kaweesa Isabirye: Land Division
  16. Alexandra Nkonge Rugadya: Land Division
  17. Moses Mukiibi: Head, International Crimes Division
  18. Jane Kiggundu: Deputy Head of International Crimes Division
  19. Ezekiel Muhanguzi: International Crimes Division
  20. Lawrence Gidudu: Head of Anti-Corruption Division
  21. Margaret Tibulya: Deputy Head of Anti-Corruption Division
  22. David Kutosi Wangutusi: Head of Commercial Division
  23. Billy Kainamura: Deputy Head of Commercial Division
  24. Elizabeth Jane Alividza: Commercial Division
  25. Anna Bitature Mugenyi: Commercial Division
  26. David Matovu: Deputy Head of Family Division
  27. Jessica Naiga: Family Division
  28. Ketrah Kitarisiibwa Katanguka: Family Division.

    Justices in High Court circuits

The following justices are assigned to the circuits of the Uganda High Court:
  1. Albert Rugadya Atwooki: Resident Judge, Masindi
  2. John Eudes Keitirima: Senior Resident Judge, Masaka
  3. Duncan Gaswaga: Senior Resident Judge, Mbarara
  4. Flavian Zeija: Resident Judge, Mbarara
  5. Eva Luswata: Senior Resident Judge, Jinja
  6. Michael Elabu: Resident Judge, Jinja
  7. David Batema: Resident Judge, Soroti
  8. Oyuko Anthony Ojok: Resident Judge, Fort Portal
  9. Suzan Okalany: Resident Judge, Mbale
  10. Stephen Mubiru: Resident Judge, Arua
  11. Vincent Okwanga: Resident Judge, Gulu
  12. Winfred Nabisinde: Resident Judge, Lira
  13. Moses Kawumi Kazibwe: Resident Judge, Kabale
  14. Margaret Mutonyi: Resident Judge, Mukono
  15. Wilson Masalu Musene: Resident Judge, Mpigi
  16. Joseph Murangira: Resident Judge, Mubende

    Justices on special assignments

The following High Court justices are on special assignment:
  1. Henry Peter Adonyo: Executive Director, Judicial Studies Institute
  2. Michael Chibita: Director of Public Prosecutions
  3. Julia Sebutinde: International Court of Justice
  4. Asaph Ruhundi: Chief Judge, Industrial Court
  5. Linda Lillian Tumusiime Mugisha: Industrial Court
  6. Benjamin Kabiito: Chairperson, Judicial Service Commission.

    Other high court judges

The following newly-appointed justices of the high court were sworn in on Friday 23 March 2018, by Yoweri Museveni, the president of Uganda, at State House Entebbe.
  1. Paul Gadenya Walimbwa
  2. Tadeo Asiimwe
  3. Emanuel Baguma
  4. Jane Frances Abodo
  5. Joyce Kavuma
  6. Alex Mackay Ajiji
  7. Olive Kazaarwe Mukwaya
  8. Cornelia Kakooza Sabiiti
  9. Musa Sekaana
  10. Richard Wejuli Wabwire
The following 13 justices of the high court were appointed on Friday 5 October 2019.
  1. Vincent Emmy Mugabo
  2. Immaculate Busingye
  3. Isaac Muwata
  4. Jesse Byaruhanga Rugyema
  5. Isah Serunkuuma
  6. Susan Abinyo
  7. Esta Nambayo
  8. Jane Okuo Kajuga
  9. Boniface Wamala
  10. Philip Odoki
  11. Victoria Katamba
  12. Nakintu Nkwanga
  13. Jeanne Rwakakoko