Agency
Chief Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo has on Monday formally handed over office after attaining the mandatory retirement age of 70, bringing to a close a five-year tenure widely praised for institutional reform, unity, and expanded access to justice.
Owiny-Dollo eligibility to the office expired at midnight on Sunday in line with the Constitution, which requires judges to vacate office upon reaching 70.
He explained that by constitutional provision, the Deputy Chief Justice automatically assumes office as Acting Chief Justice upon the retirement of a substantive Chief Justice.
Justice Dr Flavian Zeija has accordingly taken over as Acting Chief Justice.
Speaking during the handover ceremony at the Supreme Court Conference Hall in Kampala, Owiny-Dollo described the event as a formal recognition of a transition that had already taken legal effect.
He said the gains made during his leadership were the result of collective effort, shared vision, and institutional teamwork.
While he preferred credit to be shared, Owiny-Dollo said he accepted full responsibility for any shortcomings that may have occurred under his tenure.
The CJ Emeritus expressed confidence in the future of the Judiciary, citing reforms such as Alternative Dispute Resolution, plea bargaining, and the Judicial Transformation Agenda, which he said would continue strengthening access to justice.
