President Yoweri Museveni has appointed Justice Jane Frances Abodo as Uganda’s new Principal Judge, marking the first time a woman has held the position under the 1995 Constitution.
According to Monitor news, prior to this appointment, Justice Abodo served as the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), replacing Justice Flavian Zeija, who was promoted to Deputy Chief Justice in February following the retirement of Justice Richard Buteera.
Don’t Miss This: Nigeria, South Africa Strengthen Trade Relations with Focus on Partnerships and Regulation
“In exercise of the powers vested in the President by Article 142 (1) of the 1995 Constitution, and on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission, I have appointed Lady Justice Abodo Jane Frances as Principal Judge,” Museveni wrote in his appointment letter to Parliament, adding that her name and CV have been forwarded for parliamentary approval.
Her elevation leaves the DPP office vacant.
The Principal Judge is the third-highest position in Uganda’s judiciary, after the Chief Justice and Deputy Chief Justice, and serves as the administrative head of all High Courts and lower magistrates’ courts.
Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga had been acting in the role for over six months following Zeija’s promotion.
The Deputy Press Secretary to the President, Faruk Kirunda, confirmed the appointment on X, noting that circulating reports about her nomination were authentic and that Parliament will now vet her.
Don’t Miss This: Nestlé Trains Over 2,600 Food Vendors Across 11 States
Justice Abodo has served as DPP since 2020. She joined the High Court bench in 2018 after years of prosecutorial experience, rising from pupil state attorney to Senior Assistant DPP, where she headed the Anti-Corruption Desk and managed the Plea Bargaining program.
She holds a Master of Laws from Trinity College Dublin (2016) and was recognized as Prosecutor of the Year by the Uganda Law Society in 2015.
Under her leadership, the DPP’s office recorded the highest conviction rates nationwide while maintaining integrity.
Hailing from the remote Karamoja region, Abodo is one of 62 siblings.
Among her notable cases as a High Court judge was the trial of Godfrey Wamala Troy, whom she convicted of manslaughter for the murder of celebrated singer Moses Ssekibogo, also known as Radio Mowzey, sentencing him to 14 years in prison.
Image Credit: Kamwokya Times
