Kampala, Uganda: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has appointed Justice Jane Frances Abodo as the new Principal Judge, making her the first female to hold the position under the 1995 Constitution.
Justice Abodo, who has been serving as the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), replaces Justice Flavian Zeija, who was elevated to Deputy Chief Justice in February after the retirement of then Deputy CJ, Richard Buteera.
“In exercise of the powers vested in the President by Article 142 (1) of the 1995 Constitution, I have, on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission, appointed Lady Justice Abodo Jane Frances as Principal Judge,” President Museveni’s appointment letter to Parliament read in part.
The letter further noted: “I hereby forward her name and CV to Parliament for approval.”
Justice Abodo’s appointment, once approved by Parliament, places her as the third most powerful figure in the Judiciary after the Chief Justice and Deputy Chief Justice.
As Principal Judge, Abodo will serve as the administrative head of all High Courts and lower Magistrates’ courts across Uganda, a position that had been under interim stewardship of Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga for over six months.
Faruk Kirunda, the Deputy Press Secretary to the President, confirmed the development in a post on his X handle, saying: “I here confirm that the letter circulating on social media regarding the appointment of Hon. Lady Judge Jane Francis Abodo as the new Principal Judge is authentic. Her name has been forwarded to Parliament for the necessary approval.”
The same was later confirmed by Sandor Lyle Walusimbi, the Senior Press Secretary to President Museveni who posted via his official X handle saying “In exercise of the powers vested in the President by Article 142(1) of the 1995 Constitution, H.E. @KagutaMuseveni, having acted on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission, has appointed Hon. Lady Justice Abodo Jane Frances as Principal Judge and subsequently forwarded her name and CV to Parliament.”
Abodo’s elevation leaves the DPP’s office vacant, a key post that has been central in prosecuting high-profile criminal cases across the country.
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