Written By | Our Reporter
Owiny-Dollo led the Judiciary through a period of reforms focused on improving access to justice, reducing the case backlog, and modernising court operations
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Uganda’s Chief Justice, Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo, has retired from the Judiciary, bringing to a close a distinguished legal and public service career spanning more than four decades.
Owiny-Dollo’s retirement took effect on Sunday, the day he turned 70, in accordance with constitutional provisions that require Supreme Court and Court of Appeal justices, including the Chief Justice, to vacate office upon reaching that age.
Appointed Chief Justice in August 2020, Owiny-Dollo led the Judiciary through a period of reforms focused on improving access to justice, reducing the case backlog, and modernising court operations. Before his elevation, he served as Deputy Chief Justice and head of the Court of Appeal/Constitutional Court, and had earlier been a High Court judge.
In a statement ahead of his retirement, Owiny-Dollo expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and highlighted the role of his community in shaping his values. He also signalled plans to focus on community service and cultural development in his home region after retirement.
Throughout his tenure, he championed initiatives including digital case management systems, alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, and infrastructure expansion. His leadership saw the Judiciary establish new High Court circuits and improve case disposal.
Owiny-Dollo’s career also included significant roles outside the bench. He was a Member of Parliament, a delegate to the Constituent Assembly that drafted Uganda’s 1995 Constitution, and served in government ministries early in his career.
His retirement comes at a sensitive political moment, with Uganda’s presidential election cycle likely to generate legal petitions that the Supreme Court would hear. In the absence of a substantive Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice Flavian Zeija is expected to oversee the Judiciary’s leadership.
The Judicial Service Commission has already completed interviews of candidates for the next Chief Justice and submitted a list of nominees to the President, who will make the final appointment.
Owiny-Dollo’s departure marks the end of an era in Uganda’s justice system as the Judiciary transitions under new leadership.
