Wakilii

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 (Miscellaneous Cause 2 of 2022)

Supreme Court · [2022] UGSC 17 · 2022 Application Granted ✦ AI-generated summary ↓ Download
Jurisdiction
Uganda
Case Type
Application by Notice of Motion to the Supreme Court for leave to commemorate a deceased Justice of the Supreme Court
Decision
Leave granted for the Judiciary to commemorate the deceased Justice; no order as to costs

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Holding

The Supreme Court granted leave to the Judiciary to commemorate the late Hon. Justice Ruby Opio Aweri, a Justice of the Supreme Court who died in office after 39 years of service. The Court was satisfied that this was a fit and proper application and that the deceased's long, steadfast and flawless career deserved public recognition in keeping with the constitutional tenet of public accountability, and to inspire other judicial officers that their service will be appreciated. The application, supported by the Chief Registrar's affidavit and unopposed in reply, was granted with no order as to costs.

Facts

Hon. Justice Ruby Opio Aweri joined the Judiciary as a Magistrate Grade One in 1983 and rose through the ranks to be appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court in 2015. At the time of his death he also served as Chief Inspector of Courts and a member of the first Judiciary Council. He fell ill on or 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 of the Judiciary applied by Notice of Motion for leave for the Judiciary to commemorate him for his distinguished service, supported by her affidavit detailing his qualifications, career and community service. The affidavit in reply did not oppose the application and conceded that the deceased deserved to be commemorated and honoured posthumously.

Issues

  1. Whether leave should be granted to the Judiciary to commemorate a deceased Justice of the Supreme Court for distinguished services rendered to the Judiciary.

Orders

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

Key headnotes

Administration of the Judiciary — Honouring of deceased Justices — Leave to commemorate distinguished service
Where a Justice of the Supreme Court dies in office after long and distinguished service, the Court may grant leave for the Judiciary to commemorate the deceased, public recognition of such service being consistent with the constitutional tenet of public accountability and serving to inspire confidence among judicial officers that their service will be appreciated.

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.