Who is Uganda’s New Deputy Chief Justice? Inside the Career of Justice Moses Kazibwe Kawumi

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has appointed Justice Moses Kazibwe Kawumi as Uganda’s new Deputy Chief Justice, filling one of the highest offices in the Judiciary following months of transition in the country’s justice system.

The appointment, announced by the Presidential Press Unit on Thursday, comes after the elevation of Flavian Zeija to Chief Justice earlier this year following the retirement of former Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo.

Justice Kazibwe currently serves on both the Court of Appeal and the Constitutional Court and now awaits parliamentary vetting and approval before officially assuming office.

Born on August 22, 1963, Justice Kazibwe is regarded as one of Uganda’s most experienced judicial officers, with a legal career spanning more than three decades across private practice, public service, academia, and the Judiciary.

He studied law at Makerere University before obtaining a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre. He was called to the Bar in 1989.

He later expanded his academic credentials at the Uganda Management Institute, where he earned both a Postgraduate Diploma in Management and a Master’s Degree in Management Studies.

Justice Kazibwe joined the High Court bench in 2016, the same period when Chief Justice Flavian Zeija was also elevated to the Judiciary. Over the years, he served in several judicial stations including Kabale and Mubende, where he gained recognition for efforts aimed at reducing case backlog and improving public engagement through initiatives such as Court Open Days.

At the appellate level, he has participated in special Court of Appeal sessions focused on clearing long-standing criminal appeals and strengthening access to justice. Legal observers describe him as a seasoned figure in constitutional and appellate law at a time when Uganda’s Judiciary faces mounting pressure over delayed cases, reforms, and public trust.

As Deputy Chief Justice, Justice Kazibwe will deputise Chief Justice Flavian Zeija in the administration and supervision of the Judiciary. He will also head the Court of Appeal and the Constitutional Court, making him the second-highest judicial officer in Uganda.

In the same announcement, President Museveni also appointed Agnes Alum as the new Chief Registrar of the Judiciary, replacing Sarah Langa Siu, who was elevated to the High Court bench last year.