Who is Uganda’s New Chief Justice?

Dr. Flavian Zeija appeared on Thursday morning before the appointments committee of parliament for vetting as Uganda’s new Chief Justice. This followed his appointment, as confirmed by Hajji Faruk Kirunda, the President’s Special Press Assistant and Mobilization. Parliament also confirmed the news through its X handle. The appointment comes just four days after former Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo Chigamoy vacated office upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70. 

Owiny-Dollo handed over the office to Dr. Zeija, who has been Acting Chief Justice since Monday, ensuring continuity in the Judiciary. Sources indicate that another handover took place quietly at the Judiciary headquarters the following day, reportedly to avoid public criticism over a delayed transfer. 

The appointment surprised many within the Judiciary and the Judicial Service Commission. The Permanent Secretary to the Judiciary, Dr. Rose Nassali, told our reporter that she was not aware of the appointment as she was attending burial arrangements for the late former Minister for Education, Geraldine Namirembe Bitamazire. The Judicial Service Commission, which oversees appointments and regulations of judicial officers, had forwarded three candidates to the President for consideration. 

Reliable sources indicate that Supreme Court Justices Mike Chibita and Christopher Izama Madrama were among the candidates before Dr. Zeija was selected. Dr. Zeija rose swiftly through the Judiciary, spending less than a year as Deputy Chief Justice, a role he assumed on February 7, 2025, replacing Deputy Chief Justice Emeritus Richard Buteera. Before that, he served as Principal Judge, succeeding Dr. Yorokamu Bamwine, a position he held since December 25, 2019.   

Who is Dr. Flavian Zeija?

Born on February 18, 1969, in Western Uganda, Dr. Zeija is a lawyer, academic, and experienced judge. He holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Master of Laws from Makerere University, a Doctor of Philosophy in Law from the University of Dar es Salaam, and a Master of Business Administration from Uganda Martyrs University. 

He has been a member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, UK, since 2012. Dr. Zeija started his legal career in 1998 as a legal assistant and later worked at Tropical Africa Bank, FINCA Uganda Limited, and as managing partner at Zeija, Mukasa & Company Advocates. 

He also taught law at Uganda Christian University, Makerere University, and Makerere University Business School, where he founded the Department of Business Law. Appointed a High Court judge in 2016, he served as Resident Judge of the Mbarara High Court Circuit before becoming Principal Judge in 2019. 

Now, as Chief Justice, he inherits a Judiciary grappling with case backlogs and understaffing but steadily modernizing through technology to improve access to justice.