Members of the Kigezi Lawyers’ Fraternity on Saturday evening hosted a dinner at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel in honour of Flavian Zeija following his recent appointment as Chief Justice.
Dr. Zeija, who hails from the Kigezi sub-region, joined lawyers and judicial officers from the region to celebrate his elevation to the highest office in the Judiciary of Uganda. The event brought together members of the Kigezi legal fraternity, who reflected on the significance of one of their own rising to lead the country’s Judiciary.
The dinner served as an opportunity for members to celebrate the Chief Justice’s appointment while reaffirming their shared commitment to the administration of justice.
In his remarks, Chief Justice Zeija thanked the fraternity for organising the dinner in his honour and commended its leadership for revitalising the association and strengthening unity among lawyers from the region.
He also announced that a thanksgiving ceremony will be held on July 25, 2026, at his home in Nyarushanje and invited members of the fraternity to attend. He noted that the function would not be a personal celebration but rather an occasion for the wider Kigezi community. He added that he would also visit the region ahead of the thanksgiving event.
Reflecting on his life journey, the Chief Justice described his rise as miraculous. He recalled being born in humble circumstances after his mother went into labour while working in the garden and later gave birth to him in the kitchen at home. He thanked God for preserving his life and enabling him to rise to the office of Chief Justice.
Speaking about his vision for the Judiciary, Dr. Zeija emphasised the need to ensure that justice services reach every Ugandan, including those living in hard-to-reach areas.
He cited his recent visit to Kalangala District, where concerns were raised about the high transport costs faced by judicial officers and court users accessing services across the islands.
He revealed that under those circumstances, the Judiciary procured a boat that is expected to be launched next week to serve Kalangala.
He added that similar interventions would be extended to Buvuma District and Sigulu Island, with additional support planned for Koome Island as part of efforts to bring court services closer to the people.
The Chief Justice also spoke candidly about the challenges facing the Judiciary, including limited funding, staffing gaps, corruption, and performance concerns.
He stressed the importance of accountability and dedication among judicial officers, noting that public servants must earn their salaries by delivering services efficiently and fairly.
He further encouraged lawyers to consider joining the Bench when opportunities arise, urging them to come prepared to work collectively in strengthening the institution.
Earlier, the Chairperson of the Kigezi Lawyers’ Fraternity, Henry Rwaganika, who also served as Chairperson of the organising committee, congratulated the Chief Justice upon his appointment, describing his elevation as a reflection of his leadership and commitment to the legal profession.
He also thanked the government and commended members of the fraternity for coming together to celebrate the achievement.
Jesse Rugyema Byaruhanga said the Chief Justice’s leadership qualities were well known to those who had served under his supervision at both the High Court and the Court of Appeal. He called on members of the fraternity to support him in his new role.
Speaking on behalf of High Court judges, Patricia Basaza Wasswa described the Chief Justice as a performance-driven leader who pays close attention to detail.
She expressed confidence that under his leadership, the Judiciary would continue to transform and improve service delivery, especially as the institution prepares for the transition to paperless systems.
