As Justice Dr Flavian Zeija celebrated and praised president Museveni for considering him and appointing him as the new Deputy Chief Justice replacing the nonsense Justice Richard Butera who reached the retirement age of 70 years, some of his colleagues were being rushed to hospital.
Others who were celebrating are: Justice Muzamir Kibedi who made a record as the first Muslim to sit on the panel of the country’s highest court the Supreme Court, Justice Musa Ssekaana, Justice Ketra Kitariisibwa Katunguka, Justice Cornelia Sabiiti Kakooza, Justice Florence Nakachwa, Justice Stella Alibateese, Justice Jesse Rugyema Byaruhanga, Justice John Mike Musisi and Justice Esta Nambayo who were appointed at the Court of Appeal which also doubles as the Constitutional Court.
Museveni also appointed Judges of the High Court and they include; Sarah Siu Langa, Rosemary Bareebe Ngabirano, Marry Babirye, Lilian Omara, Charles Kasibayo, Mary Kaitesi, Suzan Kisakye Odongo, Karooli Lwanga Ssemogerere, Joanita Bushara, Simon Peter Kinobe, Vincent Opyene, Sarah Birungi Kalibbala, Isaac Teko, Deepa Verma, Flavia Lamuno, Fatuma Nanziri, Gelase Kwemara Kafuuzi, Godfrey Himbaza, Andrew Khaukha, Dr Ginamia Ngwatu, Idah Nakiganda and reinstating Shamilah Faridah Bukirwa.
As they were celebrating, their colleagues, especially judicial officers were shedding tears after they missed out on being appointed even though they had heavily invested in lobbying members of the deep state to convince the big man to consider them when making his appointments.
Highly placed reliable sources in the judiciary confirmed to us that five judicial officers were hospitalised after their health condition worsened because of blood pressure.
“Imagine a person who has reached the retirement age at the High Court but still wanted to serve more five years at the Court of Appeal. They invested a lot of money which they would have used in retirement to lobby and at the last minute they were not on the list, what are they going to tell their family!” a source who is a senior judicial officer wondered.
He added that there is also a registrar who was hospitalised after missing out on the list yet he was very sure and boasting before his colleagues that he was going to be appointed to the High Court since President Museveni knows him very well.
More Read
He first bragged that he was only scared the Judicial Service Commission approval. However, when his name was shortlisted and sent to the big man, he was only waiting to celebrate.
“He is tired of working up-country, that is why he heavily invested in lobbying but the results shocked him,” a source said.
Recently, maverick Law Society President Isaac Kimeeza Ssemakadde made a serious allegation in writing claiming that there are elements in the government especially members of the deep state who ask judicial officers for money to be appointed as judges and justices to courts and many desperately sold their properties including their matrimonial homes.
He pleaded with president Museveni to intervene and save the situation so that judicial officers are appointed on merit.
In the judiciary, judicial officers retire like Kings and Queens because they retire with their salaries, security, medical allowances.
