Chief Justice Owiny-Dollo Retires After Fourty Years of Legal Service.

Uganda’s Chief Justice, His Lordship Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo, has retired at the age of 70, bringing to a close more than four decades of distinguished service in law, public administration, and national leadership.

Appointed Chief Justice in August 2020, Owiny-Dollo presided over the Judiciary during a period marked by reform, institutional growth, and public debate about judicial independence.

His tenure was anchored by the Judiciary Transformation Agenda (2020–2025), a reform blueprint aimed at reducing case backlogs, expanding access to justice, strengthening human resources, and modernizing court infrastructure.

Under his leadership, the Judiciary registered increased case disposal rates, established new High Court circuits and magistrates’ courts, and completed major infrastructure projects, including the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal Towers.

He also championed digitization through the electronic case management system and promoted alternative and culturally accepted dispute resolution mechanisms.

Before becoming Chief Justice, Owiny-Dollo served as Deputy Chief Justice, Head of the Court of Appeal and Constitutional Court, and as a High Court Judge.

In private practice, he spent over two decades handling litigation, conveyancing, and advisory work. He is widely remembered for presiding over the landmark 2010 Kampala terrorist bombings case.

His career also extended into public service and politics. He served as a Member of Parliament, a delegate to the Constituent Assembly that drafted the 1995 Constitution, and a government minister.

He was also involved in peacebuilding efforts, including engagement with the Lord’s Resistance Army leadership.

Owiny-Dollo’s tenure was not without controversy. Relations between the Bench and the Bar were at times strained, particularly with sections of the Uganda Law Society, amid concerns over delays in case handling and administrative conduct.

He also faced criticism over perceived closeness to the Executive, which he consistently rejected, insisting that judicial independence was intact.

As he retires, Owiny-Dollo leaves behind a Judiciary strengthened in infrastructure, technology, and institutional capacity, even as challenges of funding and backlog persist.

Uganda now awaits the appointment of his successor, with Lady Justice Professor Lillian Tibatemwa currently chairing Supreme Court sessions.