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In the matter of an Order granting leave to the Judiciary to commemorate Hon. Justice Ruby Opio Aweri (now deceased) for the distinguished services rendered to the Judiciary (Misce

Supreme Court · 7fdc7fa85ef29632 Application Granted ✦ AI-generated summary ↓ Download
Jurisdiction
Uganda
Case Type
Application by Notice of Motion to the Supreme Court for an order granting leave to commemorate a deceased Justice of the Supreme Court.
Decision
Application granted; leave given to the Judiciary to commemorate the deceased Justice.

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Holding

The Supreme Court granted leave to the Judiciary to commemorate the late Hon. Justice Ruby Opio Aweri, a career judicial officer who served for 39 years and died in office in December 2022. Considering the supporting affidavit of the Chief Registrar and the unopposed affidavit in reply, and noting that section 23 and Schedule 3 of the Administration of the Judiciary Act 2020 require a Justice of the Supreme Court who dies in office to be specially honoured, the Court was satisfied this was a fit and proper application. It held that such public recognition accords with the constitutional tenet of public accountability and serves to inspire judicial officers. No order as to costs was made.

Facts

Hon. Justice Ruby Opio Aweri joined the Judiciary as a Magistrate Grade One in 1983 and rose through the ranks until his appointment as a Justice of the Supreme Court in 2015. At the time of his death he was also Chief Inspector of Courts and a member of the first Judiciary Council. He fell ill around 20 November 2022 while on inspection duty in the Karamoja Region and died on 7 December 2022, after 39 years of service. The Chief Registrar, H/W Sarah Langa Siu, swore an affidavit (deponed 9 December 2022) describing his qualifications, career and community service, and sought leave for the Judiciary to commemorate him. The application was supported through the Deputy Attorney General and was not opposed by counsel filing the affidavit in reply.

Issues

  1. Whether leave should be granted to the Judiciary to commemorate Hon. Justice Ruby Opio Aweri (deceased) for the distinguished services he rendered to the Judiciary.

Orders

  • Leave granted to the Judicial Officers and staff of the Judiciary to commemorate the life and contribution of Hon. Justice Ruby Opio Aweri for the distinguished services he rendered.
  • No order as to costs.

Key headnotes

Administration of the Judiciary — Honouring of a Justice Who Dies in Office — Leave to Commemorate
Where a Justice of the Supreme Court dies in office after long and meritorious service, leave to commemorate the deceased may be granted as a fit and proper measure consistent with section 23 and Schedule 3 of the Administration of the Judiciary Act 2020 and the constitutional tenet of public accountability.

Legislation cited (9)

  • Constitution of Uganda 1995 art.132
  • Constitution of Uganda 1995 art.133
  • Constitution of Uganda 1995 Chapter 8
  • Administration of the Judiciary Act 2020 s.13
  • Administration of the Judiciary Act 2020 s.23
  • Administration of the Judiciary Act 2020 Schedule 3
  • Judicature (Supreme Court) (Rules) Directions SI 13-10 r.2
  • Judicature (Supreme Court) (Rules) Directions SI 13-10 r.42
  • Judicature (Supreme Court) (Rules) Directions SI 13-10 r.43
Source: this page presents Wakilii’s issue analysis and metadata for a publicly reported Ugandan judgment. Any AI-generated summary is marked as such. Judgment text is sourced from the Uganda Legal Information Institute (ulii.org). Wakilii is not affiliated with ULII.