Grapevine

Acting judge not confirmed, ordered to hand over office

Legal minds have raised eyebrows after a judge attached to Jinja High Court, who was appointed in an acting capacity by President Museveni, has not been confirmed.

In an August 8 letter seen by Daily Monitor, Principal Judge Flavian Zeija directed Justice Bukirwa Faridah Shamilah to hand over all files under her and leave office.

“The Judiciary did not receive from the appointing authority your instrument of appointment as a substantive judge of the High Court. Therefore, since your acting period as a judge of the High Court expires on August 15, this is to request you to hand over your office, all Judiciary properties and all case files before you to the Jinja High Court Circuit as we find out why your instrument of appointment was not received by the Judiciary,” reads in part the Principal Judge’s letter to Justice Bukirwa.

The letter has been copied to, among others, Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, Deputy Chief Justice Richard Buteera, the head of Jinja High Court, and the chairperson of the Judicial Service Commission, Justice Benjamin Kabiito.

In an August 8 letter, concerned lawyers in Jinja led by Mr Joshua Batwala petitioned President Museveni, demanding to know why Justice Bukirwa has not been confirmed.