Kampala, Uganda: Uganda Law Society has raised fresh concerns over the recent appointment of Moses Kazibwe Kawumi as Deputy Chief Justice and Agnes Alum as Chief Registrar of the Judiciary, warning that the appointments risk deepening what it described as a “constitutional limbo” surrounding the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
In a strongly worded statement issued Thursday, May 14, the legal body said the appointments were announced while major constitutional petitions challenging the legality of the Judicial Service Commission remain pending before the Constitutional Court.
ULS Vice President, Mr Asiimwe Anthony, referenced Constitutional Petition No. 11 of 2025 and Constitutional Application No. 12 of 2025 filed by the Society.
“While the Society does not oppose the filling of critical judicial vacancies, we express deep concern that these appointments have been processed and announced while Constitutional Petition 11 of 2025 and Constitutional Application 12 of 2025, filed by the ULS, remain pending before the Constitutional Court,” Asiimwe said.
“These matters directly challenge the legality of the composition and operations of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), the constitutionality of the Judicial Service Act (as amended) and the 2025 Judicial Service Regulations, and the validity of all recruitment and appointment processes flowing therefrom,” he added.
The Society further argues that the JSC was constituted in violation of Article 146 of the Constitution because it allegedly lacks duly nominated representatives from the Uganda Law Society. “Recommendations made by a JSC missing ULS representatives risk being declared a nullity,” Asiimwe warned.
The concerns come only hours after President Museveni appointed Justice Kazibwe Kawumi as Deputy Chief Justice and Agnes Alum as Chief Registrar of the Judiciary.
Justice Kazibwe Kawumi currently serves on the Court of Appeal/Constitutional Court and awaits parliamentary vetting before formally assuming office.
ULS warns that proceeding with senior judicial appointments before determination of the pending constitutional matters risks undermining judicial legitimacy and independence.
“Proceeding with senior judicial appointments in the face of these live constitutional challenges creates a dangerous precedent,” the Society stated.
“It risks turning the Constitutional Court’s eventual decision into a mere academic exercise and undermines the very foundation of judicial legitimacy and independence that the Society seeks to protect.”
The legal body further urged the Constitutional Court to urgently hear and determine the pending cases in order to end what it termed an “unacceptable state of constitutional limbo.”
The Society also referenced Civil Appeals 98 and 99 of 2025, which it claims were removed from the Court of Appeal cause list in July 2025, delaying the election of Uganda Law Society nominees to the Judicial Service Commission.
According to ULS, any judicial appointments made before resolution of the disputes risk being subjected to future legal challenge and could erode public confidence in the Judiciary.
“Until these matters are resolved, any appointments made risk being tainted by the very defects complained of, thereby eroding public confidence in the Judiciary and exposing the appointees to unnecessary legal challenge,” the statement added.
Despite the criticism, the Society clarified that it does not oppose the filling of key judicial vacancies, but insists that constitutional questions surrounding the appointment process must first be resolved.
ULS reaffirmed its commitment to defending judicial independence, merit-based appointments and constitutionalism, saying it remains ready to assist the courts in resolving the disputes expeditiously.
The latest developments now place renewed attention on the composition and functioning of the Judicial Service Commission at a time when Uganda’s Judiciary continues implementing leadership changes and institutional reforms.
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