Deputy Chief Justice Buteera Walks off into Retirement

Deputy Chief Justice Richard Buteera has officially retired from judicial service, effective April 9, 2025, after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70.

However, he will continue serving as a Justice of the Court of Appeal/Constitutional Court for the next three months to complete pending work, as permitted under Article 144 (1) of the Constitution.

In an internal memo dated April 9, Acting Chief Registrar Pamella Lamunu Ocaya congratulated Buteera on his nearly four-decade-long service to the Judiciary and the nation. 

“I wish to congratulate His Lordship for the distinguished service he has rendered to the Judiciary and the nation at large,” Lamunu wrote. The memo is copied to several top officials, including the Chief Justice, the Principal Judge, and the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Judiciary.

Born 70 years ago, Buteera began his judicial journey on December 16, 1981, as a Grade One Magistrate. He steadily rose through the ranks, serving in various capacities, including as Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for eight years—the longest tenure in Uganda’s history—and later as a Supreme Court Justice. He was appointed Deputy Chief Justice in 2020, deputizing Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo.

While serving as head of the Court of Appeal and Constitutional Court, Buteera made several landmark rulings. In one of the rulings, he clarified that Ugandan citizens are legally permitted to borrow from or repay loans to foreigners or foreign institutions, unless the transaction involves criminal activity. He also pioneered a program to reduce case backlog among suspects on remand, addressing overcrowding and prolonged pretrial detention in prisons. 

In 2024, the Constitutional Court under Buteera upheld the Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2023 but struck down key sections—including those on aggravated homosexuality, promotion, and mandatory reporting—for violating rights to health, privacy, and freedom of religion.

Under the Administration of the Judiciary Act of 2020, Buteera is entitled to a full package of retirement benefits. These include a lifetime monthly salary equivalent to that of the sitting Deputy Chief Justice, a one-off lump sum equivalent to 2.4% of his annual salary multiplied by five years of service, and a monthly housing allowance or a one-off payment of 380 million shillings in lieu of housing.

He will also receive an annual medical allowance equal to that of the sitting Deputy Chief Justice, a chauffeur-driven car or a one-time vehicle compensation of 180 million shillings, and a monthly fuel and vehicle repair allowance of 1.8 million shillings. Additionally, Buteera will get a consolidated 500,000 shillings monthly for airtime and internet. President Yoweri Museveni has appointed Principal Judge Dr. Flavian Zeija to succeed Buteera as Deputy Chief Justice.