President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has appointed Justice Moses Kazibwe Kawumi as the new Deputy Chief Justice of Uganda, in a fresh shake-up within the Judiciary aimed at strengthening the country’s justice system.
According to a press release issued by the Presidential Press Unit (PPU) on Thursday, May 14, President Museveni also appointed Her Worship Agnes Alum as the new Chief Registrar of the Judiciary.
“The name of the new Deputy Chief Justice has been sent to Parliament, awaiting approval,” the statement noted.
Justice Kazibwe Kawumi is a seasoned judicial officer who has served in Uganda’s Judiciary for several years, rising through the ranks from legal practice to the High Court and later the Court of Appeal.
He was among the seven High Court judges appointed in 2016 before later being elevated to the Court of Appeal/Constitutional Court.
Over the years, Justice Kazibwe has handled several major civil, constitutional and criminal matters and has earned recognition for his experience in judicial administration and case management.
He previously served as Resident Judge in Kabale before being transferred to Mubende High Court Circuit, where he was credited for efforts to improve justice delivery and court efficiency.
In May 2024, Justice Kazibwe Kawumi was among newly elevated Court of Appeal judges formally introduced to President Museveni at State House during the swearing-in ceremony of new judicial officers.
Legal observers describe his appointment as a significant boost to the Judiciary at a time when Uganda continues to grapple with case backlog, demands for judicial reforms and increasing pressure on appellate courts.
The position of Deputy Chief Justice is one of the most senior offices in Uganda’s Judiciary. The office holder deputizes the Chief Justice and heads the Court of Appeal and Constitutional Court, institutions that play a central role in handling constitutional petitions and appeals from lower courts.
Justice Kazibwe’s appointment comes months after President Museveni appointed a number of judges to the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal in a move the government said was intended to enhance efficiency in justice administration.
Meanwhile, the newly appointed Chief Registrar, Agnes Alum, has been serving within the Judiciary’s administrative structures, particularly in Magistrates Affairs and Data Management as well as the Inspectorate of Courts. Judiciary records show that she has held several senior registry and judicial administration roles over the years.
The Chief Registrar is responsible for the administration and supervision of all court registries in the country and plays a crucial role in the day-to-day management of the Judiciary.
Her appointment is expected to strengthen judicial administration, especially as the Judiciary continues implementing reforms aimed at digitization, faster disposal of cases and expansion of court services across the country.
The latest appointments are likely to attract keen attention from the legal fraternity and Parliament, particularly the vetting process for Justice Kazibwe Kawumi as Deputy Chief Justice.
Under Uganda’s Constitution, appointments of top judicial officers such as the Deputy Chief Justice require parliamentary approval before the President can formally swear them into office.
The appointments also come at a time when the Judiciary has been pushing for more resources to address growing case backlog, limited judicial manpower and infrastructure challenges in various courts across the country.
Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo has in recent years repeatedly called for expansion of the Judiciary and appointment of more judicial officers to improve access to justice and speed up hearing of cases.
Government has also embarked on establishing new High Court circuits and expanding the Court of Appeal in efforts to decentralize justice services and reduce congestion in urban courts.
